Ade Oguns: 36 Lion product joins Moroccan giants, Wydad Casablanca from Caracas

 

Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club have completed the signing of Ade "Wedingo" Oguns from Venezuelan side Caracas on a six-month loan deal.

After a lot of speculation surrounding Wedingo's future at the Los Rojos del Ávila a deal between the 22-year-old and the Red Horses was confirmed by 36 Lion President Hajj Gafar Liameed via Social Media on Thursday night. 

The 22-time Botola Pro 1 winners have the option to make the deal permanent at the end of the current campaign.

The contract was signed in Casablanca in the presence of Wydad President Abdelmajid Bernaki, the player, Hajj Gafar and Diamond Sports Management Limited CEO Cem Sagar.

Wedingo who represented Benin Republic at youth level is still eligible to play for Nigeria at senior cadre.

The winger scored 13 goals and provided 7 assists in 34 matches across all competitions for Caracas in 2023.

The youngster, born on 14/4/2001 started his football education at Salenko FC in Iwaya. Having played until the U10 squad, he continued his journey at 36 Lion Football Club where his game was polished by Baba Arigo and Hajj Gafar for that transition into professional football, where he got to unlock high potential catching attention of many clubs abroad, finally being transferred to Caracas in January 2021.

Despite being right footed, Wedingo starts as left winger, but due to characteristics and adaptability, he can also perform as striker or as right winger, being a quality and versatile attacker. He stands out due to his tendency to verticality, unpredictability, pace and ability to create imbalances.

Knowing his attributes, Wedingo is the kind of player that prefers to play into open spaces and high tempo matches rather than possession based football and tight spaces, having great capacity to progress forward either with carries or passing. 

He understands the game well, and has a great repertory of movements. He attacks spaces well behind rivals back, providing a direct alternative for his team when facing a high pressing block. 

He is also clever inside the penalty area, being aware of where rivals are in order to lose markers and find interesting spots. In that sense, he is not a player that comes to support midfield and help in the build up phase, but his presence staying wide and operating in the last third has great value for his team, fixing the defensive block, creating spaces and managing to get overloads and numerical superiority in the attacking phase. 

Wedingo joins Hamdou El Houni, Jamal Harkass, Zakaria Draoui, Montasser Lahtimi and Ayoub Boucheta as latest arrivals at Wydad.

Blessing Essien Edet: Sensational Dino Sporting Club midfielder inks three year deal with Caracas FC

 

By Wale Mustapha 

Dino Sporting Club's rising star, Blessing Essien Edet has completed a three year deal with Venezuelan top side, Caracas FC. 

Edet's move came after a successful negotiations between the two clubs.

The young midfielder who gained attention for his standout performances in various competitions will be making a crucial step in his promising career.

Dino Sporting Club confirmed the deal expressed delight in announcing the transfer agreement with Caracas FC, emphasizing the fruitful collaboration between the parties.

"Both Dino Sporting Club and Caracas FC have reached a three-year contract agreement, providing Edet with an opportunity to further his development in South America.

"Edet has being a dedicated and committed player since we became part of Dino family and we are excited about this move to further help his career and we wish him the very best" stated the official announcement. 

This move adds another chapter to the success stories of talented young players transitioning from Dino Sporting to international clubs. 

Dino Sporting Club expressed gratitude to the organizers of the JAGABAN CUP, Alhaji Liameed Gafar of 36 Lion FC, and the esteemed agent Cem Sagar for providing the platform that allowed Edet to shine in the tournament.

The 19-year-old midfielder, having excelled in Dino Sporting Club's Jagaban Cup outing last year and the ongoing Creative Championship League, is expected to bolster Caracas FC's squad and contribute to their aspirations in the Copa Libertadores. 

Football enthusiasts eagerly anticipate Edet's journey in the vibrant football landscape of South America. 

Akinyoola, Egbeyemi, Taiwo light up Lions Affairs Football Carnival

 

Caracas striker Samson Akinyoola walked away with another major award at the Weekend, the latest prize to put on his mantle.

The Benin Republic international headlined a big day at Legacy Pitch, winning the Diaspora Lion of the year 2021 at Lions Affairs Football Carnival. 

The novelty match between the Diaspora Lions and the home base Lions of 36 Lion Football Club ended 5-5 to the delight of their teeming Lagos fans. 

Akinyoola who scored 20 goals in all competitions for Caracas in 2021, said he continues to be humbled by every accolade he's received.

“It feels good. It’s an honor just to be here,” Akinyoola said. “I’m just glad to come back to this great club that made me.”

“It’s great. It feels like I was being honored as an athlete,” he said. “That’s supposed to be the mission, so it felt great.”

Akinyoola emerged as top scorer of the 2021 Venezuelan Primera División with 18 goals from 34 games. He was named in the team of the season alongside three other Caracas' players.

U-16 starlets Abidemi Egbeyemi and Michael Taiwo went home with #20,000 each after winning the Lions Ball Juggler of the year and the Lions Accurate Kicker of the year awards respectively. 

“Super surprised,” Egbeyemi said. “I don’t think I’m the best player out of those other guys. But I can’t thank the management of 36 Lion enough. It’s an honor.”

“I’m just going to enjoy the moment and live in the moment,” he said.

“Just to see all that hard work I put into football, it’s paying off today,” Taiwo said. “But at the same time there’s a lot of talented guys here, so I’m just honored to be able to take a turn.”

Speaking after the event, 36 Lion Proprietor Gafar Liameed expressed joy that the friendly match was organized to foster unity, friendliness, and love among the players within and outside the country. He particularly commended the home-based players for their loyalty, dedication, and commitment to the club activities in the outgoing year saying that the year 2022 would be better and glamorous.

“The friendly match was organized as a way of showing love to our local and foreign players for their commitment and dedication to the club in the last few years. I am happy that the turnout was impressive and the players entertained their fans with football artistry.

“We recorded so many achievements in the area of player’s transfer and reaching the round of 16 at the just concluded Lagos FA Cup in the outgoing year. We are looking forward to achieving better in New Year and we are using this medium to announce that our two players would sign for foreign clubs in the coming year,” he said.

Prominent players that 36 Lion has produced over the years are Junior Ajayi, Imoh Ezekiel, Peter Olayinka, Sodiq Popo, Yira Sor and Muhammed Tijani.

36 Lion graduate Ade Oguns undergoes successful surgery

Caracas winger, Ade Oguns, will now begin the long road to recovery after undergoing a successful operation on his knee.

The 20-year-old was dealt a cruel blow earlier this season in the Venezuelan top flight as he suffered a knee ligament injury ruling him out for the remainder of the campaign.

It appears that he will only make a return in early 2022 as he looks to try and get himself back on the field as soon  possible.

The Media has been informed that the 36 Lion product recently went under the knife - and will now be on crutches for a while before he is able to begin physiotherapy.

It is thought that Oguns is facing at least three months out as he recuperates, and will be back around January at the earliest, news that will come as a blow to his club.

In an interview with the Media on Saturday, the player thanked everyone who supported him since he was injured at Caracas.

"I want to thank Caracas, 36 Lion, my family members and friends for the support and generosity they showed at the time I needed them most. I'm grateful at last I have had a successful operation," Oguns informed the Media.

"I'm now fully focused on my recovery and will do everything I can to be back as quickly as possible."

"Despite the obvious disappointment, I'm a firm believer that within difficulty lies opportunity and with God's help I'm going to make sure I return better, fitter and stronger than ever before," he added.

"Playing for Caracas is a great, exciting experience" - 36 Lion product Akinyoola reacts after netting double against Monagas

 

36 Lion product Samson Akinyoola has expressed delight that two of his goals propelled Caracas to a 3-1 victory over Monagas at the Estadio Monumental de Maturín (Maturín) on Saturday morning.

He has now scored 12 goals in the Venezuela Primera División this term.

Akinyoola was thrilled that he had "made everyone in the team happy" and praised the teamwork which led to his brace.

The two-goal hero said: "I am overjoyed with the win. Caracas are a great club and winning is natural for them, so it was a bit out of the ordinary for us not to defeat Monagas in front of their fans.

"I am especially pleased for the fantastic fans who have supported us at home and away this season. Playing for Caracas is a great and exciting experience, and I am lucky to play in such a team where everyone is ready to provide all the necessary facilities for the players to excel."

"We believed in our capabilities and winning against Monagas was deserved for to all our hard work."

"This is Caracas' season. We have dominated the competition from the start and won't rest until we win the title."

Caracas are on top of the table with 48 points from 23 games.