NPFL/La Liga U15 champions Remo Stars were crowned winners of the one week soccer fiesta after they pipped their Osun State counterparts 1-0 to lift the title last weekend in Osogbo.

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Secretary General Dr Tijani Yusuf who was among top Nigerian football egg-heads that graced the grand finale couldn’t hide his delight as he showered praises on Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi (Lagos); Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi (Ondo), Bayo Olanlege (Ekiti), Gani Majekodunmi (Ogun), James Adeniran (Oyo) and Alhaji Mustapha Abulrasaq (Osun) for the initiative and deeming it right to immortalize the late Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi.

“The Western Nigeria Football Forum deserves all the accolades for immortalising Taiwo Ogunjobi with a youth tournament.

“You can’t talk about the sucesses Nigeria has recorded in the beautiful round leather game without giving credit to Ogunjobi.

“He had passion for football development at all levels and he dedicated his life to it as a former player with IICC Shooting Stars, Green Eagles (now Super Eagles) and as an administrator in the capacity as a Board Member with Shooting Stars, Club Chairman (Prime FC now Osun United) and as former Secretary General of NFA.

“Ogunjobi may be gone but he remains forever in our hearts as his legacies lives on. So no better way to honour him than to host this kind of befitting tournament in his name.

“I want to use this platform to asking that other zones should emulate the South West. We will share the story out as one of the post event stories.”

The Taiwo Ogunjobi Memorial Under-15 Tournament and Awards also had in attendance two other former Secretary Generals of the NFF, Dr Bolaji Ojo-Oba and Fanny Amun, President of Nigeria Referees Association, Tade Azeez, two former Shooting Stars legends who played with late Ogunjobi both at club and national levels, Felix Owolabi and Idowu Otunbusi.

Former Super Eagles and Shooting Stars legend, Mutiu Adepoju likewise President General of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club worldwide, Dr Rafiu Ladipo and son of the deceased football administrator, Lanre Ogunjobi.

After the qualification of Team Osun; Team Oyo, Team Lagos and NPFL/LaLiga champions Remo Stars to the semi-finals on Friday, organizers of the Ogunjobi U15 Memorial Cup have released the last four pairings.

With both Oyo U15 and Osun U15 sealing their semi-final spot on Thursday, the onus was on Remo Stars and Lagos U15 team to get at least a point from their Matchday 3 fixtures, having recorded 4points and 3points respectively after the conclusion of Matchday 2 fixtures.

That they did at the Sports Complex Ataoja School Of Science in Osogbo, as Remo Stars and Osun U15 played out a 1-1 draw to go second in Group B with 5pionts while Osun maintained the top spot with 7points after two wins and a draw.

With Oyo U15 already leaders of Group A with 6points from two matches, Lagos and Ekiti had to slug it out in the final Group A game for who joins Oyo in the semis.

The soak tensed game between both teams lived up to the hype as it ended 1-1, thus saw the Eko Boys qualifying on superior goal difference ahead their counterparts Ekiti Bees as both teams were levelled on 4points.

It’s a tough semi-final pairings as high flying Oyo State who were handed a reality check after they lost their last group game by a lone goal to Kwara U15 team, will sqaure up against NPFL/LaLiga champions Remo Stars for a spot in the final while Osun U15 team will hope to contain the fire power of Lagos U15 team who scored five goals in the group stage.

Meanwhil, a total of 18 goals were scored in the group phase of the Ogunjobi U15 Memorial Cup as all teams recorded at least a point.

MatchDay 3 Results

Osun State 1-1 Remo Stars
Ekiti State 1-1 Lagos State
Oyo State 0-1 Kwara State
Ogun State 0-1 Ondo State

SEMI FINAL PAIRINGS

Team Oyo vs Remo Stars – 3pm

Team Osun vs Team Lagos – 4pm

#OgunjobiMemorialCup22

Despite Remo Stars U15 two points drop in their second game against Ondo State U15 team, Coach Wale Olowookere says the NPFL/LaLiga champions are not under pressure to win the Taiwo Ogunjobi U15 Memorial Cup.

Remo Stars who put two goals past Ogun State U15 team in the Ogun Derby on Matchday 1 failed to find the back of the net against Ondo U15 team in a keenly contested Matchday 2 game played at the Sports Complex Ataoja School Of Science, Osogbo

“Without taking anything away from the seven other teams, we are all here for one purpose and that’s winning the maiden edition of the Taiwo Ogunjobi U15 Memorial Cup.

“The other teams, likewise Remo Stars have same advantage to becoming the winner. So the NPFL/LaLiga champions tag on Remo Stars doesn’t neccessary count, looking how things unfolded in the game against Ondo U15 team.

“For Remo Stars to emerge winners, we must take the matches as they come.”

Giving an insight on his team’s performance against (Ondo U15 team: “The game was a tough one, as we played against a team that had an eye for the 3points likewise Remo Stars.

“Victory for either of the teams in the second Group B fixture would have meant an automatic qualification to the semi-finals for Remo Stars and for Ondo U15 team a lifeline for them after they lost thier first game to Osun U15 team.

“At the end; both teams had to share the spoils for a point, which for me was fair enough looking at the minute by minute events of the game.

“Both team really matched themselves in terms of play, fought for ball possession and had the zeal to emerge victorious as well.

“Having earned 4points, the attention is now on the must win game against the Osun U15 team. The plan is to get some of our tired legs ready for the fixture and I also plan to inject a few fresh legs, with a goal to make it to the last four.”

A high-powered delegation led by Ondo State FA boss, Otunba Dele Ajayi arrived Osogbo, the capital of Osun State and immediately visited designated hotels, proposed match venues and medical facilities.

Speaking to reporters after the one day inspection tour, the Co-Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Otunba Dele Ajayi is optimistic of a memorable tourney poised to live up to its billing.

“We have got an idea of the progress level of the tournament after going round to check on the available facilities.

“What we have seen at these facilities were exact things the LOC provided the MOC in their reports.

“So, we have taken key decisions as regards accomodations, feeding and match centres. The LOC has done a good job and we are going to have a befitting championship.

“Football fans in the Southwest should expect the best because the states will present their best U-15 teams for the competition. Camping is ongoing and you know our zone leads by example.”

The former Chairman of NFF Finance Committee took time to eulogized the legacies of the immediate past Chairman of Osun FA, late Chief Taiwo Joseph Ogunjobi whose good works still speaks volume till date.

“We have seriously missed late Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi who was the leader of Western Nigeria Football Forum until the time when he transited to life beyond. That’s the reason we are immortalising him with this tournament.

” Late Ogunjobi did very well, he played the game and administered it as former General Secretary of Nigeria Football Association (NFA) now NFF. He was a distinguished leader and a caring father. May his soul continue to rest in peace.” Ajayi noted.

The inspection team was led by Otunba Dele Ajayi, host State FA Chairman Otunba Rasaq lshola Mustapha (RIM), a member of Main Organising Committee who’s equally the Ekiti FA Chairman, Mr. Bayo Olanlege and members of Local Organising Committee.

The football tournament and award ceremony, according to Main Organizing Committee will hold from 16th August to 21st with the awards holding in the evening of the final.