FC Nwosu claims inaugural Ex Internationals Cup title as LSFA appreciates NFF, Soname others

 

The maiden edition of the Nigeria Ex-Internationals Cup 2024, organised by Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), was successfully concluded Sunday, as it ended in a blaze of glory at the prestigious Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

In the final match, FC Nwosu defeated FC Ekpo, in a nail-biting penalty kicks of 6-5 after playing out a goalless 90 minutes in regulation time, to emerge winners of the giant trophy and the princely sum of N2 million.

Once again, like he did in the quater-finals and semi-finals respectively, goalkeeper Samuel Oriola of FC Nwosu, was the hero for his side as he saved two penalty kicks to gift his team the trophy.

And in its unique and refreshing style, the organisers made a resounding and unprecedented statement by ensuring that the winners received their prize monies of N2m, N1m, N500,000 and N250,000, for the first to the fourth placed teams respectively, just few hours after the conclusion of the games, to the delight of the winners, who were pleasantly surprised, as they expressed untold gratitude and appreciation to the organisers.

An elated LSFA boss, Hajji Gafar Olawale Liameed, was thankful to God and everyone who made the tournament a success. Gafar remarked gleefully, that the tournament has set an enviable benchmark for football organisation in the country, which is synonymous with the Lagos State, as the centre of excellence.

While acknowledging the supports and partnership of Bet9ja, Mavlon Football Club, Owu Sportswear, Brila Fm, Sola Akinlade of Sporting Lagos, Liigi League, Olafiranye Sports Foundation and Mr. Mahmud Dawodu.

He added that with the able supports of the LSFA board members, stakeholders, associates and potential partners, next year's edition shall be better and bigger.

Hon. Kunle Soname, CEO/ President of Bet9ja and Value jet, who was obviously impressed by the standard of play and the level of organisation of the tournament, promised to give better support to the tournament in the next edition.

The final of the tournament which was, exciting, entertaining, glitzy and glamorous, was witnessed by the creme de la creme of Nigeria football, included Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, 1st Vice-President of Nigeria Football Federation; Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, 2nd Vice-President of NFF;  George Aluo, Chairman of NNL; Alhaji Inuwa Ahlan, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, Chairman Ogun State FA; Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi, Chairman Ondo State FA.

Others include Hon. Olalekan Fatodu, Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission; Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications, Prince Dapo Ajibade, Mutiu Adepoju, Coach Ladan Bosso, as well as States FA Chairmen of Edo, Anambra, Gombe, Kwara, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Kano, Abia, Enugu and Plateau, respectively.

AMAPROBet9ja Football Championship semifinal wrap: Abraysport pips SGFC to set up final against KFA

Abraysports Football Club will be taking on Kwara Football Academy (KFA) in the final of 2023 AMAPRO Bet9ja Football Championship billed for Sunday in Ilorin. 

The final will be Abraysports' second in three years having been a losing in 2021 against NNL All Stars. 

The team led by former NPFL icon, Sarafa Usman defeated SGFC Athletics by a lone goal in the first semi-final played at the Pitch A of KFA. 

Sholabi Bode headed home a good corner from Adebayo Suraj just nine minutes into the match. 

SGFC had themselves to blame for the defeat having missed number of chances created with Samuel Bamigboye the major culprit. 

The second semifinal saw KFA recorded the same scoreline against HMK FC from Osogbo courtesy of Mukhtar Habeeb's brilliant finish as he capitalized on a lose ball in HMK defense. 

Sunday Samuel went close to doubling the lead for KFA in the second half but was denied by HMK goalkeeper.

The Coach Ladi Ojokojo boys will be playing in their first ever final of AMAPRO championship which will be against one of their city rivals, Abraysports.

According to BrainBehind of the championship, Shogo Shodunnke, fantastic prizes have been set aside for King of AMAPRO, top scorer and best goalkeeper.

Shodunnke added that Executive Chairman of Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Mogaji, Chairman of Kwara State Football Association, Alhaji Abdullahi Idris will be among the top dignitaries expected at the final. 

NNL All Stars won the last edition of the AMAPRO Bet9ja Football Championship after beating NPFL All Stars 3-2 on penalties.

AMAPROBet9ja2023 Day One Wrap: Humbling start for NNL All-stars, NPFL All-stars as Dickalo win big

 

AMAPRO Bet9ja 2023 football championship kicked off in style on Monday at the Kwara Football Academy, KFA pitch in Ilorin with 19 goals scored that had interesting encounters and upsets.

Kwara United duo of Godwin Oshagbemi and Abubakar Garba powered Kwara Football Academy (KFA) to a 2-1 comeback win over defending champions, NNL All-stars in what was tagged as star match of opening day. 

Olasoju Jamiu fired NNL All-stars into the lead early in the 16th minute to set the pace for the game. 

Oshagbemi headed home on the 29th minutes to restore parity before Abubakar Garba powered in the winner on the 65th minute as they stunned the boys from the Most Important League in Nigeria to a 2-1 defeat.

A stalemate ended the affairs between AMAPRO Sports Academy and Da Faria SC. 

Both sides had good chances to grab a win in their first game but it was only going to end in a stalemate. 

2021 finalists, Abraysports FC came from a goal down to beat Ajaokuta FA in their opening game. 

Hyacinth Lazarus put Ajaokuta FA ahead early in the first half with a screamer from outside the area. Molaoye Abiodun leveled scoring with a fine header from a good Suraj Adebayo’s cross. 

Abraysports FC went ahead late in the game, after Adebayo directed a fine cross from the corner kick into Ajaokuta’s area and Mubaraq Hammed headed home the winner. 

Another shock defeat was recorded as the Pro Leaguers fell to a late goal from first timers, Le Pass SSA. 

Pro Leaguers had a chance to go ahead after winning a penalty in the second half but Afeez Yusuf missed the spot kick to keep the game at stalemate. 

A fine counter attack from Le Pass SSA late in the game eventually determined the outcome of the match. Tajudeen Abdulateef put Le Pass SSA ahead with a beautiful curler down the right and Lukman Orire was found wanting. 

The first half between Jazzy Stars FA and HMK FC ended in stalemate as both sides failed to convert their good chances. 

Jazzy Stars FA opened the scoring in the second half with a fine header from Ebenezer Okereke before Alabi Sodiq leveled from the spot kick late in the game. 

SGFC Athletics SC raced to a 2-0 win over Gateway FA of Ekiti with goals coming from Sunday Ekene and Adebowale Awolola on the 68th and 75th minutes respectively.

Dickalo FA recorded the heaviest win of the opening day as they thrashed Teworh SC 5-0. 

Two goals apiece from Lawal Azeez and Kolawole Daniel and a strike from Adams Ibrahim powered Dickalo FA to resounding victory over Kaduna based side, Teworh SC.

Laycon FA produced the biggest upset as they came from behind to beat NPFL All-stars 2-1, courtesy of goals from David John and Olaniyan Moshood in the 78th and 89th minutes to cancel out Babatunde Taofeek's 56th minute opener.

This tournament which is proudly sponsored by foremost Nigerian betting company, Bet9ja continues on Tuesday with other interesting fixtures. 

Final will be decided on Sunday 9th July, 2023 in Ilorin. 

Matchday Results: 

Amapro Selected SA 0-0 Da Faria

Dickalo FA 5-0 Teworh SC

SGFC Athletics 2-0 Gateway FA

KFA 2-1 NNL All-stars

Abraysports 2-1 Ajaokuta FA

Le Pass SSA 1-0 Pro Leaguers

Laycon FA 2-1 NPFL All-stars

Jazzy Stars FA 1-1 HMK FC 

Bet9ja partners ANFASSC for friendly with SWAN Selected

Bet9ja has agreed to partner with Authentic Nigeria Football and Allied Sports Supporters Club (ANFASSC) for the elaborate friendly against SWAN Selected.

Bet9ja is an online bookmaker company that offers betting on major sporting events operating in Nigeria. Traded under KC Gaming Networks Limited and run by a series of shareholders of multiple nationalities, the website is licensed by the Lagos State Lotteries Board (LSLB) with permission to operate in other parts of Nigeria.

The company is the third most-visited website in Nigeria after Google.com and Youtube.com in late April 2020, according to Alexa - a global internet traffic ranking firm. It is also the first most-visited local site in Nigeria and the only Nigerian website in the top 500 most-visited websites globally as of April 2020, according to a recent listing by IABC Africa.

Hon. Kunle Soname is the Chairman of Bet9ja.

“Having to partner with Bet9ja is something we are proud of. It is a laudable project that has come a long way. It is a great platform for us," National President of ANFASSC informed the Media on Sunday.

"I applaud our Patron Hon Soname for all the support to us over the years. We are grateful to him," he added.

The friendly between ANFASSC and SWAN Selected will take place at Legacy Pitch on Tuesday 5th October. Kickoff is 1pm.

The friendly is also sponsored by NFF, Culturati, TMR, Aurara Football Limited, ACTDF and Cone.

Dapo Abiodun Pre-season Tourney comes with freshness, gets date for 2021 edition

 

The organizers of the Dapo Abiodun Pre-season Tournament have released this year’s edition calendar. The prestigious pre-season tournament will hold from 12-21 October, 2021 in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

This is the third edition of the pre-season tournament designed to help top clubs in Nigeria prepare for the new season. Shooting Stars have won the previous two editions of the tournament.

Tournament Coordinator Oye Bawala has disclosed that 16 clubs will participate in this year’s edition. Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode has been the traditional venue for the tournament and it will host 10 NPFL and six NNL clubs next month.

“We have grown from the first edition and we are excited to host the third edition next month. We are happy for the clubs that participated last year for achieving success. The Cup champions, Shooting Stars sealed an NPFL ticket while Rivers United finished with a CAF Champions League ticket. The benefits for all the clubs that participated were huge and the tournament had positive impact.”

The biggest indigenous betting company, Bet9ja and fast-growing airline ValueJet were major sponsors in the second edition. Bawala appreciate the private investors and the Ogun State government.

“We appreciate Ogun State government for their technical support since the first edition of the tournament in 2019, we are happy to contribute to this administration via sports. The economic gain for the State is unprecedented and the positive mileage for the State is enormous.

“Bet9ja and ValueJet added brand value to the tournament last year, we are honoured to have them associate with us. It’s our ultimate target to involve private sectors with historic background from Ogun State. The partnerships with private sectors will make the tournament stronger and make the state hub for football,” said Bawala.

“I Was Thinner Than A Broomstick.” - 'Body’ Waheed

 Bet9ja Sponsored Power lifter Kareem ‘Body’ Waheed has disclosed that continuos exercise was the secret behind his present size and has aided him to win laurels and recognition.

Ayeni rues Sokoto United's draw against Jigawa

... still hopeful of promotion.

Sokoto United' left back David Kehinde Ayeni has lamented over his side's 1-1 home draw against Jigawa Golden Stars in the one Matchday 20 of Bet9ja Nigeria National League, NNL last Saturday.

Kwara United survive Kogi United's scare, move closer to NPFL return

Abel Bobby's second half strike was not enough as gallant Kogi United lost 2-1 to Kwara United in an all North Central derby of the Bet9ja Nigeria National League, NNL clash in Ilorin on Saturday.

2016/2017 NPFL Season: Bet9ja boosts Remo Stars with new Marco Polo Bus

Ahead of the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League season, Nigeria's number one sports betting company Bet 9ja have donated a Mercedes Marco Polo Bus to Remo Stars Football Club for convenient traveling of the team to match venues.

Gold Cup Organisers appreciate Senator Buhari, Partners, others

The Organizing Committee of prestigious Gold Cup Pre-Season Tournament, have appreciated the distinguish Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Dr. Abdulfatai Buhari for his maximum support all through the tournament.

Agege Stadium to Host Bet9ja NLO Super 8

The Nationwide League One (NLO) on Friday said that the Agege Stadium, Lagos, would play host to the 2016 Bet9ja NLO Super 8.