According to a family source, the Golden Eaglets assistant coach has communicated his resignation to the management of the Nigeria National League (NNL) side.

“He has communicated his decision to leave Vandrezzer FC to the club management. It was a tough decision, he loves the Vandrezzer FC project and he has been committed and professional since he joined the team.

“He has to leave to focus on his future, also Vandrezzer FC can make their coaching decision. He is making the sacrifices because he wishes the club success,” the source divulged.

Olanrewaju joined Vandrezzer FC in 2021 and he was part of the historical squad that won the club’s first title, when they emerged as Lagos FA Cup champions last year.

He was announced as the club’s Interim head coach when he returned from the 2022 U17 WAFU Cup in June. He was able to stabilize the team and retained their NNL status.

The former Crown FC and Kwara United midfielder has previously worked at MFM FC and Magate FC.

Remo Stars defeated Kwara United in the second semifinal game to seal their spot in the final 4-2 via penalties after the dramatic game ended 1-1 at duration time.

The newly promoted NNL side, Smart City will battle the CAF Confederation Cup campaigner, Remo Stars in the grand finale on Friday at 3pm.

“I want to congratulate the two clubs that made it to the final, and we are looking forward to an explosive final. We appreciate all the clubs that participated in the tournament, they made the tournament competitive. I love the passion and emotion of the clubs and their sportsmanship behavior,” said Chairman of the ValueJet Cup organizing committee, Otunba Tade Azeez. 

Smart City walked over Vandrezzer FC in the first semifinal game due to a sponsorship agreement with ValueJet Airline.

“ValueJet Airline are the premium sponsor of the tournament, and we must protect our agreement. The first communication to all the clubs was an invitation letter, and we invited 18 clubs to participate in the tournament. 10 clubs responded to our invitation and we invited all the clubs to our unveiling ceremony of our sponsor and the draw which was the platform we used to communicate the framework and sponsorship terms to all the clubs.

“We informed the clubs about the clause in our agreement with ValueJet Airline that all participating clubs would play with a branded jersey at the ceremony. Vandrezzer FC just like the other 9 clubs had a representative at the ceremony, we informed the clubs that the ceremony was important to clarify the rules and benefits of the tournament. We presented the jersey to Vandrezzer FC officials at the ceremony and they accepted our sponsorship terms which include the appearance fee and prize monies. 

“They (Vandrezzer) communicated to us after playing with the jersey in the first game without any issue and we further explain to them about the agreement with our sponsor. They had the opportunity to pull out of the tournament after the sponsor ceremony, we had the clubs and Airline management present at the ceremony in case of any dispute but we had none.

“We apologize to the football fans that came to the stadium to enjoy the game and those watching via our YouTube channel. We regret the unfortunate incident, we must protect the framework and sponsorship terms of the tournament after official communication to all the clubs. We understand and respect Vandrezzer’s decision to discontinue the game and we wish them success,” Tade added. 

Record-setting Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu has called it an end to his football career in the last match of newly promoted Nigeria Professional Football League side, Bendel Insurance FC at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, on Friday, August 12, 2022.

Shaibu captained Bendel Insurance FC to a 1-0 victory over visiting Vandrezzer FC of Lagos to end their successful and productive Nigeria National League season.

Shaibu, a former Ijesha United of Akure FC midfielder has been a registered player for the Benin Arsenal since the 2016/2017 season, contributing to the team’s promotion in the 2017/2018 season and staying to play with the team since they went back to relegation.

Just like Gianluigi Buffon, Pavel Nedved, Giorgio Chiellini, Mauro Camoranesi, Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet who all stayed with Juventus – who went on relegation in the 2006/2007 season, Philip Shaibu registered for 2021/2022 NNL season to keep his playing status – though he could only play the first thirty minutes of the last game of the season in a glamorous fashion – his dressing room support is a huge factor in the 1972 Nigeria Football League winners.

In celebrating his retirement, Philip Shaibu shared by kicking forty quality balls to the fans, throwing the atmosphere into a frenzy scene as the excited fans registered their merry mind.

Speaking after the match, Philip Shaibu recounted how the journey was back to the NPFL, and appreciated the governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki for his immense support, and the management of the NNL for standing firm and staying focused on the assignment given to them.

“Today, we thank God that we are in the NPFL and we want to thank the coach – Monday Odigie and the players”

“I never settled for the less because I know that we can do better. The Edo State government is not in sports to make money, but we are in sports to change the narrative. We started with the facilities facelift and we shifted attention to building capacity.”

“Many had doubted us that we couldn’t sustain what we started, but so far, we have disappointed them and we will keep doing that as we belong to the league of the best.”

“We belong to NPFL and that’s where we will be, we will do everything to make sure that the momentum is sustained.”

“I’m leaving without injury and we won our last match, I’m happy for that.”

The former Water Cooperation FC of Akure midfielder pleaded with the Nigeria Football Federation and the Ministry of Sports to help the NNL in becoming the real engine room of the Nigerian men’s football league.

“The only way the NNL can be strong and be the engine room of Nigerian football is if the NFF and the ministry of youths and sports put their eyes down and do all to support them in gaining sponsorship so that there won’t be issues of owing referees their entitlement; but for us, we will continue to support the NNL in our best capacity.”

“The next target is continental for the team now and we will continue to support the team to achieve that.”

“To our sponsors – Sterling Bank, we want to thank you for trusting in our team and we both have achieved the aim – we have achieved our target and we hope they will now fulfil their promise of tripling the contract we signed last time.”

Shaibu ended his speech by stating the different teams he played for actively.

” For record purpose, aside from playing for UNIJOS school team in my tertiary institution days, I played at the NISFON U-20 tournament where we got to the quarter-finals, I played for the Foreign Affairs FC, the defunct Water Cooperation FC renamed to Ijesha United of Akure and Nigeria Prison Service FC.

Vandrezzer FC first assistant coach, Yemi Olanrewaju has been appointed as assistant coach of the Under 17 Boys, Golden Eaglets by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

In a release made available by the media department of the NFF, the Osun State born coach will assist Nduka Ugbade who is the Head Coach.

It will be recalled, Coach Yema just returned from Europe where he recently finished his coaching course and is now a UEFA C license holder equivalent to CAF B.

Coach Yema started his career with Nationwide League side Magate FC before joining Nigeria Professional Football League side (NPFL), MFM as first assistant coach under Coach Tony Bolus.

Having seen the qualities of coach Yema, he was captured by Nigeria National League side Vandrezzer FC and has since won the 2021 Lagos State FA Cup.

His humility, eyes for raw talents will indeed be of help to Nduka Ugbade as the most successful team in the world, U-17 will hope to return to glory.

Recall that in the summary jurisdictions delivered by Nigeria National League secretariat, Osun FA were summoned on Tuesday 16th of March 2021 in which panel of inquiry queried the misdemeanor of about three fans captured in the video footage after the said game.

The state FA contingent who hit Abuja for fact finding and defensive mission however ordered to fish out the unscrupulous elements attracted to the match venue following a sponsored jingle on some networks.

In complying with the NNL directives, the state FA secretary Amoo Abayomi today conveyed in a letter, the decision of the state FA Disciplinary Committee back to the secretariat in Abuja.

“Due to the time given to produce the football supporters and fans for misconduct in accordance with article 16.1 to 16.5 of the rules guiding the league and also to obey Nigeria National League circular 119 dated 22nd February, 2021.

“Osun FA Disciplinary Committee thanked and appreciated the Management and Staff of Nigeria National League in rescinding its earlier decision to cancel the result of the match between Osun Utd and Vandrezzer FC which ended 2-1 in favor of the home team, after studying the match reports submitted by Match Officials.

” The under listed identified football supporters and fans are hereby suspended with immediate effect for three years from all football related activities in the state of Osun.

“The involved fans are: Aderemi Akeem (Itu), Oparinde Suraju, Oni Moses (Baba Titi Onisu),” the statement concluded.

The state FA chairman Chief Rasaq Ishola Mustapha RIM has however promised the swift return Of Osun Utd back to Osogbo Township Stadium after complying with NNL directives. He noted that any actions capable of bringing the game to disrepute won’t be tolerated any longer.