In recent years, Lagos has emerged as a prominent center for football talent across the continent, largely due to the establishment of well-funded academies, often supported by private investors. These academies offer a robust talent development program, allowing players to thrive in a dynamic football environment within a city teeming with potential Super Eagles.

Grassroots football serves as the foundation for professional football globally, and the journey of many top stars begins at this level. The narrative in Lagos is no different.

The Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) plays a crucial role in fostering grassroots football through various initiatives, including the State League, creating a supportive environment for young athletes.

It is fair to assert that grassroots football in Lagos stands out as the best in Nigeria, characterized by consistency and tangible outcomes.

The effectiveness of this system is evident in its achievements. Lagos grassroots football has produced some of the nation’s most celebrated stars and continues to nurture new talent.

This grassroots framework has been instrumental in developing several African Footballers of the Year.

Victor Osimhen, the recipient of the 2023 CAF Player of the Year award, played for Ultimate Strikers FC, while Ademola Lookman, the Atalanta winger who succeeded him, showcased his talents at Sporting Football Academy.

Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City emerged from the grassroots football system in Lagos, having played for Nath Boys FC in the Lagos Junior League. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen’s man, Victor Boniface, developed his skills at Real Sapphire FC.

Toluwase Arokodare is making a significant impact in the Belgian Pro League, proving to be a formidable challenge for defenders. Although he has yet to represent Nigeria at the senior level, he has recently received an invitation to join the Super Eagles. This scenario is common for many Nigerian players—talented yet undiscovered, eagerly awaiting their opportunity to shine on a prominent European stage. Arokodare hails from Box2Box Academy, while the new Super Eagles goalkeeper, Kayode Bankole of Remo Stars, previously played for 36 Lion FC.

These instances highlight Lagos as a nurturing ground for Super Eagles players, with the potential for many more to be discovered, thanks to the initiatives of the LSFA under the leadership of Hajji Liameed Gafar.

The passion, resilience, determination, and commitment displayed by these athletes on the pitch reflect the tenacity of grassroots players in Lagos State. This region serves as a gateway to global opportunities, where a star from Lagos is poised to reach international acclaim.

Notably, grassroots football in Lagos extends beyond the men’s game, as the State FA has made commendable strides in promoting women’s football and fostering a supportive environment for private investors.

Some of the leading figures in women’s football in Nigeria have emerged from the grassroots initiatives in Lagos State. Notable players include Asisat Oshoala, recognized as one of Africa’s finest female footballers, Rasheedat Ajibade, the current captain of the Super Falcons, and Gift Monday, who recently earned the Player of the Month award in the Spanish women’s league for February. These individuals exemplify the success of Lagos’s grassroots programs, which have made a significant mark in history.

The influx of talent from Lagos is paving the way for the future of Nigerian football, capturing the attention of the global audience.

Lagos has established a more extensive platform for nurturing talent, providing opportunities for numerous young individuals aspiring to build careers in professional football.

This approach serves as a model for the rest of the continent, offering valuable lessons. Lagos stands out as one of the many cities in Sub-Saharan Africa that is successfully harnessing its potential to shape the future today. It is a vision that has the potential to inspire many.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo has joined Ethiopian Premier League club Wolwalo Adigrat University.

Wolwalo have made an ambitious move to bring in the experienced shot stopper to Ethiopia. The Adigrat outfit have conceded 24 goals this season and coach Tsegaye Kidanemariam believed strengthening his squad with experience might help them in the fight for survival.

Free to join any club after his stint with Sudanese side El-Merreikh, Ojo signed a five-month contract for the Ethiopian outfit.

“I have great ambitions with
Wolwalo,” Ojo said to the media.

“I received offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait and DR Congo, but I preferred to join Wolwalo with its professional administration.

“I am truly pleased to be present here; it is an honor to don the yellow jersey and represent Wolwalo. I am committed to giving my all for Wolwalo and its supporters.”

“It is a great pleasure for me to join this remarkable club, and I have felt warmly welcomed by everyone since my arrival.”

“The chance to dedicate myself to hard work in Ethiopia and contribute to Wolwalo’s success serves as significant motivation for me,” he further stated.

Ojo brings a wealth of experience to Wolwalo, having previously played for Giwa FC, Sunshine Stars, Abia Warriors and Enyimba. His consistent performances have earned him a reputation as a reliable shot-stopper.

He was a member of Nigeria’s squad at the last Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, where the team won the silver medal.

The organizers have announced the roster of meticulously chosen, ambitious, and business-focused clubs from Nigeria for the third edition of the Jagaban Cup, scheduled to take place from March 24 to March 27, 2025.

Among the participating teams are last year’s finalists, 36 Lion, along with FC Bethel and Broad City.

Notably, the unexpected standout from the Nigeria Premier League, Ikorodu City, is also included.

Additional teams set to compete are Imperial FC, Ijebu United, and SGFC Athletics.

Dino SC, recognized as a significant source of talent for European clubs, will also be traveling to Lagos for the tournament.

The Jagaban Cup is supported by partners including 36 Lion Investment, Diamond Sports Management Limited, IFMM, and Lagos Enigma Group.

The tournament will take place at Legacy Pitch in Lagos, welcoming European scouts for a duration of four days.

Previous editions of the tournament attracted scouts from more than six countries, resulting in numerous players receiving invitations for trials abroad and securing contracts.

Notable success stories from the Jagaban Cup include Uchenna Emmanuel (Sparta Praha), Joseph Oloko (Liepija), Samuel Isife (Vlasim), Chukuebuka Enyiazu (Pardubice), Peter Kareem (Bohemians 1905), and Solomon Agbalaka (Sochi).

To participate in the tournament, teams must ensure that their players have accumulated a minimum of 2,500 minutes of playtime in each leg.

Mr. Wale Joseph, a veteran journalist and Chairman of the Jagaban Cup Organizing Committee, addressed the media on Sunday night, stating, “The scouts were impressed with the quality observed in the previous two editions and believe there is a wealth of untapped talent in Nigeria.”

“Clubs have shown enthusiasm for participating in the competition due to the opportunities and exposure it offers. We have already devised plans to exceed the achievements of past editions.

“The primary goal of the Jagaban Cup is to create pathways for players to advance in their careers and achieve success. We successfully engaged the youth in previous editions, and they are eager to participate in this year’s event, reflecting their trust in our organization.

“Football serves as a unifying force for Nigerian youth. The feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive. Fans are eager to experience the excitement of the Jagaban Cup, and we are thrilled to rekindle that enthusiasm,” he added.

Mr. Wale Joseph also expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Football Association, led by Hajj Olawale Gafar Liameed, for enabling grassroots teams to take part in the scouting tournament and providing young players with a platform for discovery and exposure.

In addition to the exceptional talents identified by international scouts, prizes and awards will be presented to outstanding players. All matches will be broadcast live by Sports247.

By Kingsley uzowulu.

Heartland fc of Owerri on Sunday 9/3/25 played out a one all draw against visiting Bayelsa United fc in match day 28 of the NPFL.
The match which was decided at the Dan Anyiam stadium owerri kicked off by 5:40 pm by the visitors through jersey number 26 ( o ifeanyi).
Bayelsa United immediately indicated their quest to at least pick the maximum point at stake as they launched an attack against the home team and dominating possession of the ball as well.
The two teams has 33pts and are placed at the bottom of the log and therefore needs the 3pts to swim out of the relegation waters.
The two teams were aware of their standing on the log and played with a lot of pressure and tension and in effect posting a lackluster performance and uncoordinated play.
The visitors were highly physical and they used same to dominate play there by creating alot of chances that they failed to utilize as well.
Before the 30th minute of the match Emmanuel Charles who was injured was substituted by Stephen Ezeani.
The introduction of Stephen added some bite in the attack for the Naze Millionaires as they launched series of attacks that was never used to do any damage against the lads from Yenagoa.
The visitors also had their own opportunities as they kept on firing from all angles to score the curtain raiser off a long range shot that hit the wood works.
The not so enterprising first period ended with a barren draw.
In the second half of the match the home team made a tripartite substitution as Daniel Ekpo, Surajudeen lawal and Samuel Wisdom went in to replace promise Anyanwu, Tobi Iyanda, and Joel Okoro.
The kickoff for the half was done by surajudeen lawal and the home boys pushed forward almost immediately seizing the midfield and occasionally launching counter attacks against the visitors but their efforts were fruitless as the prosperity boys stood their grounds by stopping every potential attacks by Heartland fc.
Moments later and in the cause of the match the visitors got the curtain raiser via a set piece that caught the Naze Millionaires goalie napping and the goal came in as soon as the Moslem faithfuls in the visiting team including the referee broke their fast.
The flood lights which were turned on in the second half helped to brighten up the pitch as the home team battled tenaciously to redeem their image .
In the 60th minute of the game Surajudeen lawal came on song as he leveled up for the home team via a goal mouth scramble at the visitors area.
Naze Millionaires after the equalizer continued to torment the visitors, mounting all sorts of pressure and creating visible chances in front of goal but poor marksmanship and finishing robbed of scoring any other goal.
Heartland fc pulled out ikwu Ejike for Benjamin Victor while the visitors substituted two players as well.
All efforts made by the home team to grab another goal proved abortive as the defensive formation of the visitors and the goal keeper as well truncated every move until the blast of the whistle by the referee for the end of proceedings.
Heartland fc will now be on the road away to Remo Stars at Ikenne for match day 29 of the NPFL.

Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Bar Lloyd Ike-Ekweremadu, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, received D’Tigers assistant coach, Chief Chiedozie Nwoye, in his office following the team’s successful Afrobasket qualifiers in Libya. Nwoye, who is also the Chief Coach of Enugu State Basketball, was part of the national team staff that secured a ticket to the finals in Angola later this year. Expressing his delight, Ekweremadu praised Nwoye’s contributions to basketball in the state, describing his inclusion in the national setup as proof of the progress being made. He assured continued support for Nwoye and other stakeholders to elevate the sport in Enugu.

Acknowledging the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) for recognizing Nwoye’s talent, the commissioner emphasized that his appointment was long overdue. He extended his gratitude to NBBF President Engr. Musa Ahmadu Kida and the South East representative on the board, Ugo Udezue, for providing Nwoye with the opportunity. Ekweremadu also announced the state government’s willingness to collaborate with the NBBF to enhance basketball development, not only in Enugu but across the South East and Nigeria at large.

In response, Coach Chiedozie Nwoye expressed gratitude for the warm reception and pledged his commitment to improving basketball in the state. He reaffirmed his dedication to ensuring Enugu takes its rightful place in Nigerian basketball while appreciating the NBBF leadership for their trust in his abilities. As a mark of appreciation, a D’Tigers jersey signed by all the players from the qualifiers in Kigali was presented to the commissioner.