Desportspastor Blog

As the world of football continues to evolve, new talents emerge to captivate audiences and inspire greatness. Meet Nnamdi Frank, the Nigerian central defender/right back making waves in African football. Nnamdi's impressive resume boasts stints with Warri Wolves Feeder Team, J Atete Football Club, Warri Wolves FC, Cotton Sports of Benin Republic, and Dragon FC of Benin Republic. He has also represented Nigeria at various youth levels, including Nigeria U-13, Nigeria U-15, and was called up to Nigeria's Flying Eagles (U-20). On the pitch, Nnamdi Frank is a force to be reckoned with, boasting strong ball-playing abilities, agility, quick reflexes, endurance, and stamina. His versatility and vision make him an invaluable asset to any team. Off the pitch, Nnamdi enjoys swimming, gyming, photography, and reading. These hobbies relax him and sharpen his focus and discipline. Nnamdi's dedication, discipline, and passion for football make him a standout player. His ability to adap

As the news of Finidi George's resignation as the coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria broke, many critics were quick to pounce on his tenure, labeling him a "bad coach." However, I firmly believe that these criticisms are unfair and misguided. Firstly, let's address the issue of Finidi's decision not to invite Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, to the team. Contrary to popular opinion, this was not a snub, but rather a result of Ekong's own admission of injury. Finidi cannot be faulted for prioritizing the player's health and well-being. Furthermore, the public outburst by Victor Osimhen against Finidi after his resignation was unprofessional and unwarranted. Despite Finidi's efforts to clear the air and reach out to Osimhen, the player was not made to apologize publicly for his actions. This lack of accountability is disappointing, to say the least. It's also important to remember Finidi's impressive track record as a coach. In his f

Yesterday, September 1st, was a momentous day at The Afternoon Church in Aba, as Pastor Akachi and the Free School Foundation witnessed the graduation of over 120 students from their scholarship program. This remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone in the church's commitment to empowering young minds and transforming lives through education. The Free School Foundation, under the leadership of Pastor Akachi Nwoke has been dedicated to providing educational support to underprivileged students in the community. Through their scholarship program, they have bridged the gap for many young individuals, offering them a chance to pursue their academic dreams. The graduation ceremony was a joyous celebration of the students' hard work and perseverance. Pastor Akachi, along with other dignitaries, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of education in shaping the future of our society. The graduates were awarded certificates, and some were even offered further sc

In a remarkable event at Cine 21 Cinema in Aba, Abia State, over 60 individuals made a life-changing decision to surrender their lives to Christ during a screening of the faith-based movie "CHAINS - No longer a slave" by Bright Wonder Obasi. Pastor Akachi Nwoke, President of Free School Foundation and Lead Pastor of The Afternoon Church, who personally funded the event, led a group of 120 youths to the cinema. The powerful movie had a profound impact, with over 60 people openly repenting and rededicating their lives to Christ during the viewing. Pastor Nwoke shared his excitement about the experience, stating, "The revolution has begun! We took 120 youths to see the movie Chains and had over half of them surrender their lives to Christ. We highly recommend this movie. It's a game-changer!" He emphasized the effectiveness of using faith-based movies as a tool for evangelism, noting that buying movie tickets was a more cost-effective approach than organizing a tra

Enyimba International FC of Aba has completed the signing of former Lobi Stars and Dakkada FC center back, Odinaka Francis, for an undisclosed fee! The Aba-born defender, who began his football career at Enyimba before moving to Dakkada and Lobi, has returned to his roots as the People's Elephant prepares for the 2024/25 NPFL season. Odinaka's homecoming is a significant boost to Enyimba's squad, bringing experience and depth to the team's defense. Fans are thrilled to see the local boy turned football star return to his hometown club!

   Coal City Football Club, founded by Hon Chiemerie Agu, has established itself as a premier platform for identifying, developing, and promoting talented young footballers in Nigeria. With a clear mission to harness and showcase the skills of Enugu's abundant talented youth, Coal City FC has become a hub for football development in the region. The club's scouting network identifies promising youngsters, who are then invited to join the club's academy for top-class training, mentorship, and guidance. Under Agu's leadership, Coal City FC has produced players who have gone on to achieve success in top-tier clubs, both locally and internationally. The club's commitment to excellence has earned it a reputation as a model for grassroots football development in Nigeria. However, despite its successes, Coal City FC has faced significant challenges, including a paucity of funds. The club has had to rely on the generosity of its founder and a few well-wishers to sustain its

In a bid to expand Enyimba FC's international presence, Nigerian football legend Kanu Nwankwo recently visited Poland to lure Polish clubs into partnering with the Nigerian football club. Kanu Nwankwo was received in Poland by the Ekwueme brothers, younger siblings of the enigmatic Sporting Director of Enyimba FC. The brothers played host to Kanu Nwankwo during his visit, facilitating meetings with top Polish clubs. Kanu Nwankwo held productive meetings with several Polish clubs, showcasing Enyimba FC's achievements, infrastructure, and growth plans. The meetings were reportedly well-received, with Polish clubs expressing interest in partnering with Enyimba FC. As a result of the visit, Enyimba FC is now in advanced talks with Polish clubs, with discussions focusing on partnership opportunities, including player exchange programs and training camps. This development is seen as a significant step towards expanding Enyimba FC's International visibility 

In a welcoming collaboration, Gulf United, a leading football club in the top tier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) League, and City Sports Group hosted a grand scholarship showcase aimed at discovering and nurturing the next generation of football talents in Nigeria. The landmark event kicks off in Abuja under the watch of Gulf United's club director, Mo Jarad.   The showcase in Abuja featured two categories for players aged 13-17 and 16-21 and the selected participants did not disappoint as they brought skills on display.  Selected participants will have the opportunity to study and train at some of the UK's and USA's most esteemed educational institutions, including Langley School, Beechwood School, Trinity School, and Bede's School. In attendance at the Abuja showcase were Marcello Anyanwu, head scout and assistant coach of Gulf United's first team; Martin Marlow, head of recruitment Gulf United FC based in the UK. This event marks Gulf United's second show

Head Coach Randy Waldrum has picked captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Osinachi Ohale, forward Asisat Oshoala and 14 other players in his final list of Nigeria’s Super Falcons for this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France. There are also defenders Oluwatosin Demehin and Michelle Alozie, midfielders Deborah Abiodun, Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe and Toni Payne, and forwards Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo and Uchenna Kanu. Squad members who are currently on holidays in Nigeria will join home-based players and team officials aboard an Air France flight from Abuja to Sevilla, Spain on Thursday night, with the rest of the playing body and technical team also arriving in Sevilla on Friday for a two-week training camp. The team is scheduled to depart Sevilla for France on Thursday, 18th July. Nine-time African champions Nigeria, who are making their first appearance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time since 2008 i

The maiden edition of Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Ex-Internationals Cup, organised by Lagos State Football Association, has continued to evoke fond and exciting memories of the playing days of the ex-Nigeria international players participating in this tournament as Coach-Mentor to their adopted teams. It has been a thoroughly exciting, tough and rough journey so far, as teams had to play some games on sandy, bumpy and uneven grounds in the different communities playgrounds across the state, as they moved towards the promised land. The matches in the rounds of 32 and rounds of 16, threw up interesting encounters, just as we recall how former Super Eagles and West Bromwich Albion defender Ifeanyi Udeze, squared up against the legendary former Nigeria left winger Friday Elahor in the rounds of 32. And dubbed as a match between defender against attacker, it was Udeze's team that came out tops. Another cracker was between the teams adopted by Olympic medallist Joseph Dosu and for

Edel FC attacking sensation, Arinze Anya and midfield maestro, Harrison Ofonime have put pen to paper with Swedish third division club Ljungkile SK Herrfotboll on a one year loan with an option of signing outrightly for two years. Arinze and Harrison traveled with Work Permits. Both players are part of Edel FC's current campaign in the NNL and contributed massively to our present position now. Ljungskile SK is a Swedish football club located in Ljungskile, a town within Uddevalla Municipality. They currently play in the Swedish third tier, Division 1 (Ettan Sodra). The team was formed on 16th of May 1926. They are currently 11th on the table after playing 6 games so far. Harrison and Arinze will hope to help them move up the table.  Reacting about the news, the Team Manager of Edel FC, Fancy Ewulu, spoke glowing about the movement, thank the management of the club led by Mr Jude Edeh in making sure that deal happened. He equally optimistic that both players will excel while being w

Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) has reassured all football stakeholders, investors and enthusiasts of its unwavering commitment towards a sustainable football development in the State. Chairman of LSFA, Hajji Gafar Liameed in his statement noted the recent ugly happenstances as it concerns the affairs of the LSFA, which he described as very unfortunate. He said the executive board of the LSFA, remain united, strong and undeterred, as it continues to work in unity and purposefully, to make the business of football in the state, better and attractive to all stakeholders and investors. He remarked that the LSFA is on course with its several innovative and developmental programmes, aimed at developing the game across the state, as well as, providing the technical supports for all involved in the state football ecosystem.

The Board of Nigeria Football Federation on Monday approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Committee to appoint former ace winger Finidi George as Head Coach of the Senior Men National Football Team, Super Eagles.   George, who spent 20 months as assistant to José Santos Peseiro before the Portuguese voluntarily left the post following the accomplishment of Africa Cup of Nations runner-up position at Cote d’Ivoire 2023, took charge of the squad in interim capacity during two friendly matches in Morocco last month.   His squad edged Ghana 2-1 in the first match, ending an 18-year winless streak against the Black Stars, but then lost 0-2 to Mali in the second game.   George, a member of the so-styled ‘Golden Generation’ that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Tunisia and emerged the second most entertaining team in Nigeria’s debut at the FIFA World Cup finals in USA the same year, won 62 caps for Nigeria, including featuring at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA Wo

If Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) Chairman, Hajji Gafar Olawale Liameed was a man of many words, he would have described the latest project of Dozy Mmobuosi - in the most colourful superlatives of adjectives.  Some of the projects: Tingo Mobile to provide mobile technology and Fintech solutions to rural communities in Nigeria. Tingo Inc., a publicly traded company on the OTC Markets Group and Nwassa, a digital Agri-Marketplace that is Africa’s first agricultural technology and digital platform. Following launch of Tingo Cola, Ojaja Bitters and Tingo Electric Energy Drinks in Victoria Island on Tuesday, an elated Hajji Gafar subtly described Dozy Mmobuosi as a true investor. "Mr Dozy Mmobuosi is an example of a real investor and we should all commend him for his contribution to the society at large," the impressed and excited Hajji Gafar said to LSFA Media. "I strongly believe that the projects launched today are great contributions to the national development of

  Lagos State Football Association Chairman, Hajji Liameed Olawale Gafar, has congratulated Manu Garba, on his appointment as the new head coach of the Nigeria U17 national football team, the Golden Eaglets.  Manu Garba's first tenure as Eaglets Manager saw him handling footballers such as Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Isaac  Success, Francis Uzoho, Chidiebere Nwakali and Musa Muhammed to victory at the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup.   According to Hajji Gafar, he believes that this experience makes Manu Garba the ideal candidate to lead the Golden Eaglets to new heights. The coach who returns for his third stint with the team has been saddled with the responsibility of leading the current crop of players to next month's WAFU B U17 Championship which serves as qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) recently appointed the former Flying Eagles manager as the Golden Eaglets' head coach. Hajji Gafar harped on the need to make talents disco

This was revealed by LSFA Chairman Hajj Gafar Olawale Liameed on Thursday morning. "We believe in our ex players. LSFA is determined to carry along ex internationals and drive the game forward at every level," LSFA Chairman Hajj Gafar began. "The tournament will see former Nigeria internationals based in Lagos adopt teams. For instance if an ex international is based in the area of Dino SC he can adopt them.  "The competition tagged 'The Nigeria Ex Internationals Cup'  would see teams play on home and away basis in the first phase before we proceed to the knockout stage. "We want to have a clear identity and organize lots of programs. This is one of our innovations and we hope to take blessings from the Lagos State Government and Nigeria Football Federation," the football technocrat enthused. Hajj Gafar also reiterated LSFA's commitments to proper development of football in the centre of excellence. "We're determined to lead that devel

Following the Jagaban Cup football scouting competition in Lagos, 17 players we have been selected amongst the hundreds that participated at the just concluded tournament. The scouting tournament that featured 8 teams in Lagos, was witnessed by four top football scouts at the  Mobolaji Johnson Arena. After a gruelling four-day of intense activities, anxieties and expectations, over 150 players were asked to showcase their talents in different sections as the foreign scouts carefully watched.  Those who made the cut are Emmanuel Stephen (Mavlon), Gabriel Chidi (Mavlon), Ochedikwu Caleb (Mavlon), Adelami Shola (Ikorodu City), Onyema Emmanuel (Ikorodu City) and Waliu Ojetoye (Ikorodu City). Also selected are Seun Lawal (36 Lion), Enyiazu Ebuka (36 Lion), Kehinde Ibrahim (36 Lion), Gift Apama (The Charlesann), Emmanuel Chukwu (The Charlesann), Agbede Hassan (Dino SC), Ajani Adegbola (Smart City) and Broad City's Bakare Ayomide.  The U16 trio of Egbedokun Samson (Mavlon), Cisse Mamady (

Smart City have emerged champions of Jagaban Cup Scouting Tournament after defeating 36 Lion 5-4 via penalties at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Friday morning. The result meant Smart City retained the title, having also triumphed in 2022. In the third place match played earlier in the day, Dino SC fought gallantly from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 against The Charlesann at regulation time. The penalty shootouts saw Dino SC winning 5-4. Memuda Emmanuel delivered a sumptuous effort beyond goalkeeper Samuel Oriola to edge Smart City in front on 20 minutes.  A beautiful strike from ex Nigeria international Wisdom Ubani came off the woodwork as 36 Lion searched for the equalizer. 36 Lion deservedly restored parity through Lawal Seun who scored on the hour mark. The game ended 1-1 after 70 minutes at Onikan and it all went onto what would be an intense and entertaining penalty shootouts you could see. Smart City prevailed 5-4, thus retained their title. Meanwhile, the Exhibition game saw T

The third place match would see The Charlesann battle Dino SC.  Defending champions, Smart City displayed gritty performance to stage a comeback and record 2-2 against Mavlon FC in the opening match of Day Three in the 2024 edition of Jagaban Cup at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. Mavlon raced to an early lead with brilliant finish from Emmanuel Stephen before half time.  A thunderbolt strike from Egbeduokun Samson sailed past former Flying Eagles goalie Oremade Olawale to double the lead for Mavlon.  The defending champions halved the deficit two minutes afterwards with Ibrahim Fuad getting to the end of a team build up initiated by Busayo Lemon.  Ibrahim Fuad completed the comeback with his second of the game with nine minutes left on the clock.  Both sides could have scored the winner in the closing minutes but they were undone by criminal misses. The result saw Smart City end Group A as winners with five points from three games while Mavlon recorded two points.  In the second match of

Gameday 2 was filled with surprises. Smart City humiliated Ikorodu City at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Imperial secured massive three points against highly fancied Dino SC, The Charlesann overpowered Mavlon and 36 Lion showed no mercy to Broad City.  The day began with Nigeria National League derby.   Hammed Adepoju's first blood was cancelled out by Adelani Shola as the first half ended all square. Smart pierced a sharp dagger in the heart of Oga Boys during the home stretch. Monday Emmanuel and Ibrahim Fuad delivered crushing blows, as Chibuike Prestige was unlucky to bag an own goal in an unforgettable game for his team. Broad City faced another tough challenge in a ding dong battle with 36 Lion. Bangoura Mohammed opened the scoring just after three minutes.  Badmus Ahmed equalized 26 minutes later. In the 44th minute, Oluwafemi Opeyemi tapped in from close range. Broad City stayed in the fight but Bangoura extinguished their hopes with the "Insurance Goal" for 36 Lion