Tajudeen Disu Questions Martins Omission

Former Nigeria international Tajudeen Disu is perplexed by striker Obafemi Martins’ continued absence from the Super Eagles squad despite his prolific form.

Martins, who plies his trade for the Seattle Sounders in the American Major League Soccer, has already helped himself to 14 goals in 18 games this season but, apparently still hasn’t done enough to impress head coach Sunday Oliseh.

“Martins remains the highest scoring Nigerian player anywhere in the world but we have refused to invite him,” Disu said. “I often wonder why he has not been invited.

“Some say the MLS is not as tough as the leagues in Europe, but we have players from Arabian leagues in the Eagles. Which league is tougher between the two? The MLS is no longer as it used to be, it is now very big and top players from Europe are moving there.

“At this stage, the coach should know who has the quality to play for the national team. Not every player is good enough for the national team. Oliseh should only invite the best players because he has just two friendlies to build his team,” he concluded.

SWAN Cup Registration Extended…,

SWAN Cup Registration Extended As Press Conference And Draws Now holds On Thursday 16th July 2015

Following pleas from interested members of the Lagos state chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria and after due consultations with the Lagos SWAN Exco the sports committee chaired by Debo Oshundun has decided to extend registration by two days to allow more interested member organizations register for the Football event of the “Lagos SWAN Week” this also implies that the to the Press Conference and draws for the 2015 edition of the SWAN cup sponsored by Winners Golden Bet earlier scheduled for Tuesday, 14th of July, 2015 will now hold on Thursday the 16th of July 2015.

In a statement issued over the weekend, Oshundun said that although the numbers of teams already registered as compared to last year’s edition can be described as impressive, the committee while apologizing to all who had already made plans to attend the Press Conference and draws on Tuesday however believes that the two day extension will allow more members to procure and submit their forms so as to be a part of the 2015 edition.

The Chairman of the committee stated that the committee has promised to be fair to all before and during the competition saying that “the SWAN cup is not tailored after any football competition in the world, but an avenue for our members to relax, exercise and create a sense of camaraderie, hence the need to allow every interested members to participate” The sports committee also announced that the 1 week event will feature a novelty match between ex-internationals and veterans of the association on the 24th and an all-encompassing Seminar to be delivered by experienced technocrats, also coming up on during the seminar will be a health talk on healthy living plus a Medical Outreach were members and guest will have their Vitals checked and Over the counter drugs handed out.

Lagos SWAN Cup 2014 finals

The football competition amongst member organizations will be highlight of the Lagos SWAN Week but this year’s Edition will Witness the introduction of Tug of War in collaboration with Nigeria Tug of War federation.

According to the Secretary of the Sports committee, Sola Rogers, with the successes recorded in 2014, over 10 media member organizations have registered for the competition with last year’s finalist City FM the early birds followed by Current Champions Sportsday, also competing in this year’s edition are Cool FM, Sportsvision, Top Radio, Supersports, Television Continental, Skysports and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.

Last year’s quarter finalist Silverbird Television/Rhythm FM captained by Ladi Egbedire while procuring their 2015 form boasted that they have put last year’s disappointment behind them with their resolve to aim for the ultimate glory by carting home the gold medal.

This year’s Opening ceremony promises to be exciting as former football stars of yesteryears such as Victor Ikpeba, Jonathan Akpoborie, Tajudeen Disu, Etim Esin, Aziengbe Iyoriobhe, Yisa Shofoluwe, Ipaye Wasiu, Raymond King, Simeon Bremner Alada, Micheal Dominic, Friday Ekpo, Tajudeen Ajide, Raymond King, Austin Popo, Clement Temele, Segun Oguns, Nicholas Ukadike and Peter Nieketen are all expected to file out on the 24th of July 2015 against the Lagos SWAN All Star Veterans Team at the Legacy pitch of the National stadium.

This “friendly match” which is scheduled to kick off proceedings for the “Lagos SWAN Week” will start at 3pm followed by a reception for all guest at the Lagos SWAN Secretariat immediately after.

The Committee also encourages All members to please help make the hashtag #LagosSWANCup a trending topic on social media throughout this period.

Sola Rogers
Secretary Lagos SWAN Sports Committee

TEAM AGODO WINS 2ND 1960BET GOLD CUP, AS STATIONERY STORES SIGNS 1960BET AS HEADLINE SPONSOR

TEAM AGODO WINS 2ND 1960BET GOLD CUP *Carts home N2 Million prize money *Stationery Stores signs on 1960BET as its Headline Sponsor

Onikan Stadium was agog on Saturday as Team Agodo won the 2ND edition of the 1960BET Gold Cup 2014. The match climaxed this year’s edition of the 1960BET Gold Cup that saw Team Agodo defeat its counterpart from the Lagos Island West by a lone goal to go home with the giant trophy and 2 million Naira prize money while the team from Island went home with N1.5million naira. The 1960BET Gold Cup, a CSR initiative of Winners Bookmaker Nigeria Limited, operators of 1960BET, the No. 1 bookie in the land is intended to promote positive engagement of the youths and helping attract gainful employment opportunities, taking the youths off the street whilst also helping good footballers showcase their skills even at grassroots level. The Competition itself was patterned as a Mock World Cup where 32 teams from all over Lagos and Ogun State (Abeokuta to be precise) participated.

The match pulled a capacity crowd and had started on a high tempo as both teams tried to make use of every opportunity to get the curtain raiser.

Team Lagos Island West, the maiden and defending champions tried every trick in their books to draw the first blood but the Sunday Adeyemi-led Agodo team stood its ground to maintain its unbeaten run to end the first half goalless.

At the resumption of play for the second half, Team Agodo introduced Michael Etim in jersey No. 14 who became the tormentor-in-chief, he gave the Island team defence marshaled by Uche Emmanuel in jersey No. 15 a tough time. However, in the 78th min the defence caved in and Ugochukwu in jersey No 9 scored the goal with a rocket shot, his left foot following a rebound from Captain Sunday Adeyemi’s shot on target that had been blocked by goalkeeper Abiodun George in goal for Team Island West.

In the 86th min Team Island West had a chance to draw level but Korede Shodipo in goal for Team Agodo parried the ball for a corner kick with the resultant kick being fruitless. After 90mins Team Agodo became the champions of the tournament in what was a pulsating and exciting match that was tension-soaked all the way.

Earlier in the day, Team Oshodi led by its Captain Kayode Samson had defeated Team Ojo by a similar score line of 1-0. The goal came in the 71st min after Kayode Samson dribbled his way into the goal area to fire a low shot to the far corner of the net for the only goal of the match.

Following the victory recorded by the Oshodi team, they went home with bronze medal and were also 1 million richer while team Ojo that placed fourth went home with 500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira).

As is the custom of the organizers, there was a Novelty match between Ex-Stationery Stores players and the 1960bet XI. The match ended one goal apiece with both goals coming from penalty spot. The Captain of the Ex-Stores team Taiwo Oloyede scored first for them, whilst the Managing Director /C.E.O of 1960bet Mr. Dotun Ajegbile scored the equalizer after the Captain of the 1960BET X1 team, Kamardeen Oyebo was brought down in the box and the referee duly awarded the host team the penalty which was converted by the MD/CEO 1960BET to the delight of all and sundry.

The high point of the final was the official signing ceremony of Headline Sponsorship deal between 1960BET and Stationery Stores FC of Lagos. The contract is a 5year contract with financial details left undisclosed, though the deal is mouth-watering and is believed as one of the largest club sponsorship deals ever signed in Nigeria. The signing ceremony which was conducted by High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, (FIFA Instructor and former Head Coach of the Green Eagles of Nigeria) had Mr. Tilewa Adebajo the Chairman of Stationery Stores FC and Mr. Dotun Ajegbile of 1960bet represent Stores FC and 1960bet respectively.

Notable dignitaries that graced the occasion include Chief Festus Onigbinde, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila CEO Lagos State Lotteries Board, Mr Tilewa Adebajo Chairman Stationery Stores FC, Akin Alabi MD/CEO Nairabet, Mr Sheriff of Surebet, Ex-internationals Mutiu Adepoju, Tajudeen Disu, Ann Agumanu Chiejine, Olumide Banjo, Taiwo Oloyede, erudite Sports Presenter Ken Ochonogor, GM Sports, Nigeria Info, Femi Obong Daniels and members of the Sporting fraternity were well represented at the event.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

MVP​​-​Omowanle Emmanuel (Lagos Island West)

1st Highest Goal Scorer -​Sunday Adeyemi (Agodo)

2nd Highest Goal Scorer ​-​Clement Sagu (Apapa)

Best Goalkeeper​-​Lekan Oladepo (Ojo)

Fair Play Award​-​Team Oshodi.