Big Guns Line Out For SMW Football Day

Campos Square will light up on Sunday February 21 as the stars of Nigeria’s glorious Atlanta 96 Olympic football gold medal winning team once again take to the pitch, 20 years after they stunned the world.

The likes of Sunday Oliseh, Emmanuel Amunike, Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Okocha, Victor Ikpeba, Taribo West and more will take on a Lagos All Stars team as part of celebrations to mark the event at Social Media Week Lagos.

“I think it is wonderful that SMW Lagos is doing this,” said Amunike. “Sometimes you don’t realize the importance of what you have achieved until much later, and I think that now we all appreciate what that meant to everyone.”

Among other events lined up are a gala night at SS 7 in Victoria Island to honour the heroes, while a series of panels and sessions on Thursday February 25 will relive those wonderful moments in Nigeria’s football history.

“It is hard to think that 20 years have flown by so quickly,” said Victor Ikpeba, who would go on to win the African Player of the Year prize a year later. “It was a moment that none of us will ever forget and we appreciate SMW Lagos for putting this together.”

The Nigerian Dream Team celebrate their gold medal at Atlanta 96 Olympic games, photo credit: sundayoliseh.tv

“The victory of our team at Atlanta 96 was a seminal moment for Nigerian & African football, for us it is a privilege to host these Nigerian heroes and to celebrate them,” said Obi Asika, Chairman and Co-Founder, SMW Lagos.

“Please come out and support them, take a selfie, and relive those special moments. A special word of thanks to Lagos State football Association, Seyi Akinwumi and his team, Ayo Alli and the Gbamm team and all who have worked tirelessly with us to make this happen.”

All events, bar the football game and Gala, take place at the SMW Lagos Campus on Landmark Centre, Oniru.

DE ROYAL RETAINS NATIONAL FIVES TITLE…To represent Nigeria at F5WC By Akeem Busari

Defending champions of the National Fives Championship, De Royal Fc of Lagos, on saturday,at the Hilario Campos
mini-stadium,Lagos, successfully defended the title it won last year.

The competition which was the Nigeria qualifiers for the Football World Championship slated to hold March, 2016, in
Bangkok, Thailand, started in November, 2015, with over 1000 teams participating in qualifiers across the six geo-political zones of the country.

The qualifiers produced 16 teams from different parts of the country, who converged in Lagos for the finals.

The teams were divided into four group of four teams each, with the top two qualifying for the quaters and then to the semis, that saw De Royals defeating Awolowo fc of Lagos, 1-0 in the the first semi-final.

And in the other semi-final game AGO fc from Ogun state also beat Kaduna state representatives, Kakuri fc, 1-0 to set up an epic final game against De Royal fc of Lagos.

In the exciting final game that had the capacity crowd that included several dignataries and football
stakeholders, including NFF 1st Vice-President and Chairman of Lagos FA, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, Dr.Tijani Yusuf, Senior Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State, Adeyinka Adeboye, Victor Ikpeba, Jonathan Akpoborire, Yomi Opakunle, Samson Adamu of Copa Lagos fame amongst other important personalities, on the
edges of their seats.

It was the Ogun state side, AGO fc, who scored the curtain raiser. And expectedly,crowd favourites, De Royal fc got the equalizer with a powerful strike off the boots of its talismanic player, Kabiru Nasiru, as the first half ended on equal
terms.

In the second stanza, it was a end to end action, with neither side able to break the deadlock. At the end of regulation
time,the pulsating encounter went straight into penalties, with De Royal winning 5-4, to cart home the giant golden trophy and a whopping N1.5m cash prize.

Individual honours went to Semiu Adegboyega of De Royal, as the best keeper of the competition.

Kabiru Nasiru receiving his Golden Booth Award from Dr Tijani Yusuf

Duminitive attacker of De Royal fc, Kabiru Nasiru, got double honours as he was chosen the Most Valuable Player, as well as the highest scorer of the competition with 7 goals.

Speaking at the end of the competition, Bayo Akande, CEO of Five Sports, expressed gratitude for a successful competition.

“I am glad that this year’s edition was a huge success and also an improvement on the last edition” he said.

“we would like to thank our Sponsors Olympic Milk for their immense support we really appreciate the fact that the brand has come to identify with Nigerian Sports through their various sponsorship

He disclosed that there are plans to increase the venues to more than 12 cities and also increase the participation across all
ages, gender and abilities.

Five Sports who has the exclusive license rights as the Local Organizing Committee to organize the competition in Nigeria, is also keen to forster national social integration,using the fun medium of 5-a-side football to promote discipline, healthy living, team ethics and fair competitive playing among amateur players.

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

FRIENDS OF OKOWA MATCH: KESHI, OKALA TO HANDLE EX-INTERNATIONALS

Super Eagles out of contract Coach, Stephen Keshi has opted to be in charge of the Delta/ Edo Ex-internationals against the rest of the Country in the clash between both sides on Sunday, 1st of February at the Warri City Stadium in a match put together by friends of Okowa to showcase the Peoples Gubernatorial Candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa while veteran Goalkeeper, Emmanuel Okala will take over as Coach of the rest of Nigeria.

In a release made available by the Chairman, Publicity Committee, Moses Etu, Keshi has made his intention known to handle Delta/ Edo players made up Harry Blackson, Mobosa Brodericks, Duke Udi, Samson Ozogula, Sam Okpodu, Edema Fuludu, Prince Afejukwu, Sam Sodje, Humphery Jebba and Davidson Owumi.

Others in the Delta/ Edo side include Austin Popo, Tosan Blackson, Kenneth Nwomucha, Lucky Sunday, Joshua Kator, Sam Otis, Joseph Cole and Sebastine Okoh.

STEPHEN KESHI

Those who will feature for Coach Emmanuel Okala and who have confirmed their participation are Peter Rufai, Mutiu Adepoju, Jay Jay Okocha, Victor Ikpeba, Taribo West, Emmanuel Amunike, Uche Okechukwu, Nduka Ugbade, Friday Ekpo and Emeka Ezeugo.

Others include Ifeanyi Udeze, Bright Omokaro, Kingsley Obiekwu, Alloy Agu, Clement Temile, Etim Esim, Mobi Okparaku, Austin Eguavon and Kanu Nwankwo.

“Stephen Keshi has sent words that he would like to handle the Delta/ Edo side of Ex-Internationals and with that, the onus to Coach the rest of the Country fell on Emmanuel Okala. The players will arrive Warri on Saturday where accommodation has been reserved for them and the match will start by 2pm .

Meanwhile, Warri Wolves feeder team will lock horns with Mowoe Babes before the Ex-Internationals showcase why they have become household names in the Country and fans who will not cough out a kobo to watch the match will not regret coming.

DreamTeam? No, Its Time For The NFF To Rename This Team

The Nigerian Men’s national football team were initially nicknamed the Red Devils until Veteran Journalist and Sports administrator Peter Osugo made a case for the name of the team to be changed to the Green Eagles in the early sixties.

A quick look at Nigeria’s “coat of arms” and flag would reveal were the inspiration for the naming of the Mens football team and some other sports teams derived their names from.

The Green in the team’s name was taken from the Nigerian National Flag

While the Eagle in their name was taken from the “coat of arms”. a couple of other Nigerians teams have taken this same route. The Nigerian Rugby national team are called the “Black Stallions”.

The “Green Eagles” eventually became known as the “Super Eagles” after another successful outing by the team.

The advent of Age grade competitions and Women’s football meant that national teams were created and they also had to be named like the existing teams. In Nigeria the Under 20 men’s team was nicknamed the “Flying Eagles” (all eagles fly though). Then came the Eaglets in 1985 who were renamed the “Golden Eaglets” after their inaugural campaign in China saw them winning gold at the FIFA U16 World Championship.

The Nigerian Women Senior national team are known as the Falcons, while their Under 20 counterparts are known as the Falconets, the Under 17 Women’s team are called the Flamingos.

But the main focus of this writer is the Nigerian national under 23 men’s team popularly addressed as the “Dreamteam” the current crop of the young nigerian footballers are now being called “Dreamtean 6” and this is nothing but laughable.

The Nigerian Under 23 team was first called the “Dreamteam” during the build up to the Atlanta 96 Olympic games were an all-star squad was assembled to represent Nigeria at the football event of the Olympic games.

The Original Dream Team

The Dreamteam, photo credit uproot.com

The moniker “Dreamteam” was “borrowed” from the AllStar basketball team that represented the USA at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, and this was truly a “Dreamteam” both on and off the court.

A team that had Charles Barkley of the Phoenix Suns, Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers, Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz, Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics, Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls, just to name a few, No one could ever argue with the fact that this was truly a “Dreamteam” by all standards.

The Nigerian “Dreamteam”

This team had a blend of Nigeria’s Super Eagles and some extremely talented footballers all assembled together from different teams at home and abroad.

Joseph Dosu (Julius Berger fc) and Emmanuel Babayaro of Plateau United coincidental were the only “homebased” players in the team, all the other outfield players were based in various parts of the world, Sunday Oliseh played for Fc Köln in Germany, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha played for Eintracht Frankfurt also Germany the team Everton of England Striker Daniel Amokachi, Kanu Nwankwo was with Ajax Amsterdam. Emmanuel Amuneke was then with Sporting CP in Portugal. The “Dreamteam” also had Victor Ikpeba of AS Monaco in France.

The Real Nigerian Dreamteam, Atlanta 96 Olympic Games

The Presence of the Above listed players and others not listed earned the team the Moniker “Dreamteam” we have decided to had the full team list below for emphasis:

1 GK Emmanuel Babayaro Plateau United
2 DF Celestine Babayaro Anderlecht
3 DF Taribo West Auxerre
4 FW Nwankwo Kanu Ajax
5 DF Uche Okechukwu Fenerbahçe
6 MF Emmanuel Amuneke Sporting CP
7 MF Tijani Babangida Roda
8 MF Wilson Oruma Lens
9 MF Teslim Fatusi Ferencváros
10 MF Jay-Jay Okocha Eintracht Frankfurt
11 FW Victor Ikpeba AS Monaco
12 DF Abiodun Obafemi Toulouse
13 FW Garba Lawal Espérance
14 FW Daniel Amokachi Everton
15 MF Sunday Oliseh Köln
16 DF Kingsley Obiekwu Go Ahead Eagles
17 DF Mobi Oparaku Anderlecht
18 GK Dosu Joseph Julius Berger

This team indeed lived up to all the hype surrounding it and went on to win the elusive football gold medal for Nigeria at the Atlanta Olympic games in 1996, claiming the scalps of major football powerhouses Argentina and Brazil.

This writer believes that without a doubt this was the true “Dreamteam” and the team’s achievements justified this, But truly this is where the Football federation should have created a proper identity for this team, but eighteen years down the line Football commentators, analyst, and even the fans are stuck with the dilemma of renaming the Nigeria U23 team “Dreamteam 6” (which means that there’s been six different “Dreamteams”).

Its time for the NFF to name the Nigerian Under 23 properly, enough of this Dreamteam business, Most of the players in the current Under23 team and even the teams that came after the Atlanta 96 team have been made up of virtually unknown players so what makes it a “Dreamteam” ?

Are we going to continue adding numbers to the so called “Dreamteam” every time a new team is put together?

DreamTeam? No, Its Time For The NFF To Rename This Team