Charles Agada inspires Mavlon to beat ATFA to secure Viareggio Cup semifinal berth

 

Football fans at the on- going Viareggio Cup in Italy were treated to a sublime football when Mavlon FC and Alex Transfiguration FC, two Nigerian teams met at the quarter - final clash.

Alex Transfiguration drew the first blood when Henry Madubuko converted from the spot in the 5th minute. The early goal deficit brought out the fighting spirit in search of an equaliser, which failed to come as both teams went into the break with Alex Transfiguration at an advantage.

However, it was a different ball game in the second half as the technical crew made some changes and the team more dominating against Alex Transfiguration, a team that comprised of players from some clubs that participated in the TCC league in Lagos, Nigeria.

In a nutshell, Mavlon indeed played against a team that can be likened to as consortion of players from about four teams in Lagos, but the strong winning mentality helped the team to claw back into the game through Inuwa in the 51st minute.

It became a balanced affair, but a winner must emerge within 90 minutes or straight to the penalties. It was a ding dong affair, an end to end attacking football from both sides.

But it was Mavlon that went into the lead 14 minutes later courtsey of Charles Agada, the captain of his side, who has now scored eight goals in the tournament.

Agada's goal proved the decider and paved the way for the team to play at the semi - final of the 2024 Viareggio Cup in Italy.

It is all African affairs as four Africans teams are in the semi-finals of the tournament.

Mavlon FC will engage Centre Nationale of Brazzaville, while Beyond Limits and Ojodu FC, two Nigerian teams will trade tackles in the other semi-final fixtures on Saturday . 

Dino SC star boys making waves at Viareggio Cup in Italy

The contingent of Dino Sporting Club currently jostling for honors and glories at the prestigious 74th Viareggio Cup in Italy are creating notable impressions, crafting a tournament filled with remarkable performances.

The squad, consisting of David Ede, Christian Nwachukwu, Pascal Okoli, Okoro Hyacinth, Stephen Ende, Ikechukwu Friday, and Amos Adzuu, proudly represents Alex Transfiguration F.A (ATFA). 

Six of these talented players have played pivotal roles, propelling the team to the quarterfinals.

Under the guidance of Dino Sporting Club Head Coach Godwin Gibson, ATFA boasts a strong lineup captained by Ogonna Okoro Hyacinth. 

Ogonna Hyacinth showcased his goal-scoring prowess against Honved Budapest of Hungary on Tuesday.

The team's journey in the preliminary round comprised three intense matches, securing a victory, a draw, and experiencing one defeat. Notably, they triumphed over RUKH L-VIV of Ukraine in the round of 16.

Now in its 74th edition, the Viareggio Cup stands as a premier tournament for young talents, providing a platform for scouts from top football clubs to identify emerging stars.

Viareggio Cup: Agada's hat trick inspires Mavlon FC to dump out Florentina

 

Charles Agada continued his fine form at the Viareggio Cup tournament as he registered hat trick to help Mavlon FC saw off Fiorentina 3-2 winner on Tuesday. 

The talented 17 year old Agada got the better of Fiorentina defense to open the score sheet with five minutes to end first half. 

He scored his brace in the 65th minute, but any thought of Mavlon being in a cruise control in the game was not seen, as Fiorentina clawed back with a goal in the 71st minute from Maiorana.

The Italians piled more pressure and were rewarded with an equaliser in the 90th minute to the excitement of football fans.

The game had the signature of a very round 16 tough knockout fixture and when both teams were thinking of extra time and possible lottery of penalties, Agada, who was configured to score goals scored the heart- breaking goal two minutes into stoppage time to seal a quarter- final passage for marvellous Mavlon FC.

The young striker, who is also the captain of his team, has now scored seven goals in four games at the ongoing Viareggio Cup to make him the leading top scorer at this year’s edition.

Viareggio Cup: Free scoring Agada inspires Mavlon FC to back to back win over Jovenes Promesas

 

Red- hot Nigerian teenage striker, Charles Agada is leading the goal scoring chart of the 2024 Viareggio Cup with four goals in two games, reports www.totorinews.com. 

The unstoppable striker was too lethal in the colours of Mavlon FC in the 2-1 victory of Jovenes Promesas in the match day two of the on- going Viareggio Cup tournament in Italy.

Mavlon FC approached the game with strong intention to subdue Jovenes Promesas from the blast of the whistle and the attacking due of Ephraim Elisha and Charles Agada were in a razor - like partnership to pummel their opponents with goals.

The attacking forays into their opponents' vital area paid off when Agada collected a lose ball inside the box and clinically fired into the net to give Mavlon the advantage.

The goal deficit brought out a fighting spirit from Jovenes Promesas players, as they went in search of equaliser, which they eventually got after a defender of Mavlon handled the ball inside the box and the referee pointed into the box.

Friday James in goal for Mavlon FC failed to stop the resultant kick, as both teams went into the break all squared.

The second half completely belonged to Mavlon FC. The teenage team from Nigeria totally dominated their opponents to the admiration of fans and they sealed the victory when Agada collected a pass from Simon Karshe and dispatched two defenders before hitting the ball with his left foot to restore the advantage again for his club till the end of the game.

Agada had earlier scored two goals in their first game against Avellino FC, which ended 4-1 in favour of the Nigerian side.

Viareggio Cup: Elisha, Agada inspire Mavlon to record big win over Avelino

Mavlon FC duo of Ephraim Elisha and Charles Agada stole the show on Tuesday as they registered brace each in the 4-1 win over Avellino FC at Viareggio Cup.

Elisha combined beautifully well with Agada as they went in search of early goal and it came when Agada was hacked down inside the box and Elisha converted from the spot, but Noah Mutanda restored parity for the Italian side 1-1.

Mavlon went ahead again through Elisha as the Nigerian side went into the break with a 2-1 advantage.

On resumption, Avellino FC went in search of an equaliser, but failed in their attempts, as Charles Agada punished the young Italians after pouncing on a loose ball in the box to hit it into net.

The game went beyond the reach of Avellino when Agada, a member of 2023 Golden Eaglets of Nigeria team to AFCON U-17 tournament in Algeria, hit a low drive to make it goal number four for Mavlon FC.

90 minutes witnessed football supremacy from Mavlon FC against an Italian team that is very formidable the U-19 tournaments in Italy. It was indeed a master - class performance from Mavlon FC.

Mavlon FC will trade tackles against Jovenes Promesas in the next game on Thursday at the on- going Viareggio Cup in Italy.

Mavlon defeated Jovenes Promesas 3-0 at the last edition of Viareggio Cup in 2023.

Mavlon departs Lagos for Viareggio Cup in Italy

 

Modest Nigerian club, Mavlon FC have departed the shores of Lagos, Nigeria for this year's edition of Viareggio Cup in Italy, www.totorinews.com reports.

 

The Nationwide League One (NLO), side parades very exciting young talented footballers, some have represented the age - grade teams of Nigeria at international tournaments.

The team participated at last year's Viareggio Cup where they shone brightly to the delight of football stakeholders, especially football scouts in Italy and Europe.

Speaking to www.totorinews.com before the team departed, Muyiwa Showole, the chief coach of the team, disclosed that the experience gained after participating in 2023 Viareggio Cup will be useful in navigating their opponents this time around.

"We thank the management of Mavlon FC for another great opportunity to participate at this year’s Viareggio Cup. We learnt a lot last year and we hope to do better this tournament after what we gained last year," Showole said.

Samuel Friday James: Nigerian teenage goalkeeper set to sign for Charlton Athletic

By Wale Mustapha

English championship side, Charlton Athletic are set to offer a professional contract to Nigeria teenage goalkeeper, Samuel Friday James after a successful three months trials. 

James was able to convince Charlton officials with his tremendous agility and talents between the sticks throughout his developmental training programmes and also impressed in all the test games featured.

His performances how however convinced the technical crew and management of the club that a raw diamond has landed on the side of the London based club.

It was therefore not a surprise with the decision of Charlton Athletic to offer the young talented goalkeeper from Mavlon FC, a modest NLO club,  a contract at just 17 years old.

Sporting Lagos, a club in the elite league of Nigeria will not forget in a hurry the sublime display of James in a friendly game that ended 3-3. 

The goalkeeping treasure denied Sporting Lagos some goalscoring opportunities that would have wrapped up the game in their favour.

Some European clubs have been monitoring James after his heroic performance with Mavlon FC at the Viareggio Cup Tournament that was held in Italy in March this year. Interestingly, it is Charlton Athletic that beat the rest to the signature of the ball- playing goalkeeper.

Fortune is already smiling at James since the first week he arrived the club. He only had few training sessions with the U-19 before he was upgraded to the U-21 due to his performances.

Within a fortnight, he was given access to train with the senior team of  Charlton Athletic and he has continued to show exceptional quality, hence the decision to seal a transfer deal between the England club and Mavlon Fc by offering a pre- professional contract to the goalkeeping jewel.

Viareggio Cup: "We are taking the Cup to Nigeria" - Kanayo Martins

Mavlon Sporting Director Kanayo Martins says they fear no-one after mauling Jovenes Promesas 3-0 at the Viareggio Cup.

The Abuja based team are probably the most feared side in the competition because of their pattern.

Kanayo said it will be important for his boys to play without fear for any foe

"We have been training for eight months. We were in Bulgaria last year. As soon as were back to Nigeria, preparations started for the Viareggio Cup."

"The boys like the Viareggio Cup, they like the environment in Italy. This place is friendly to the entire team," Kanayo Martins said to the Media.

"Footballers love good facilities, for the boys they're enjoying every moment here. 

"We aren't scared of any team. I can tell you authoritatively that teams are actually scared of us. We are here not just to participate but compete. Trust me we are taking the Cup to Nigeria," he concluded.

Viareggio Cup: Biliaminu dedicates Ladegbuwa's win over Sport Recife to Otunba Olowu

 

Buoyed by a stunning 2-1 victory over highly fancied Sport Recife at the opening day of the Viareggio Cup, Ladegbuwa Football Club skipper Oriyomi Biliaminu has dedicated the feat to Club President Otunba Dapo Olumide Olowu.

The Nigerian team picked up victory over the Brazilian outfit thanks to goals from Gbolahan Onabanjo and Timilehin Akande on Tuesday.

Ladegbuwa Football Club were seen as underdogs for the game but they caused an upset with a stunning performance.

"Of course, we are very happy that we won our first match. It was difficult but we showed a great desire. Now we want more, to win again and then we talk about qualifying from the group," Oriyomi Biliaminu told the Media in an interview.

"It is one match at a time and that is who we will go. But we are very happy and looking forward to what comes next."

"We were very motivated before the game against Sport Recife thanks to the club chairman, Otunba Dapo Olumide Olowu who has been using Ladegbuwa Foundation to empower youths and exposing us to the World. The victory is dedicated to him," the talented player added.

Ladegbuwa, Mavlon, Kakawa get tricky draws at 73rd Viareggio Cup in Italy

 

The draws for the 73rd Viareggio Cup has been held in the representation room of the Municipality of Viareggio in Italy.

Nigeria trio of Ladegbuwa, Mavlon and Kawawa got their group opponents in the tricky draws.

Kakawa will battle with Fiorentina, FA Euro New York and Monterosi in Group B.

Group G should be easily navigated by Mavlon who have Bologna, Atromitos and Jovenes Promesas to battle with.

In Group G, Lagos based Ladegbuwa will slug it out with the likes of Rappresentiva Serie D, Sport Recite and Imolese.

The draws was met with reactions from many, but Ladegbuwa Sporting Director Mr Wale Joseph described the draws as ‘fair’.   

“It is a fair draw,” Mr Wale Joseph said to the Media on Saturday.

“You can’t ask for less, you can’t ask for more. It is a competition of 32 and you take whatever comes.

“We have played a couple of friendlies to keep our boys in shape and will keep improving ahead of the tournament,” he added.

Mavlon will also be using the tournament to expose their young players having toured two European countries in 2022.

The 32-team competition will hold from March 20 to April 3 2023.