Exclusive Interview: Joshua Abah: A Striker's Journey from Nigeria to Chabab Ghazieh SC in Lebanon

 By Olamide Awoyinfa 

The riveting Nigerian striker Joshua Abah has had an incredible career, starting in the Nigerian League, moving on to AS GARDE DU NIGER in the Niger Republic, and finally ending up at Ghazieh SC in the Lebanese Premier League. 

24-years old Joshua Abah 

In an exclusive interview, Joshua shared his experiences, challenges, and dreams, giving us a glimpse into the life of a determined footballer chasing his goals on and off the pitch. Joshua Abah will best be described as a towering titan on the pitch, with the strength of a bull and the finesse of a predator. 

Abah's journey in football started in Nigeria, where he honed his skills at various clubs, including GBS Academy, Jigawa Golden Stars, and MFM, before taking his talents to Togo's Asko De Kara FC.

From there, he moved to AS Garde du Niger in the Niger Republic, where he had a successful stint, clinching the league and FA Cup titles and finishing as the second-top scorer with 10 goals and 1 assist. However, he narrowly missed out on the top scorer award to a player from Espoir FC, who netted 14 goals. 

Joshua Abah in AS Garde Du Niger 

Despite this setback, Joshua's talent caught the attention of Ghazieh SC, leading to his leap to the Lebanese Premier League.

After finishing 11th in the 2020–21 Lebanese Premier League, Chabab Ghazieh was relegated back to the Lebanese Second Division on April 11, 2021. They were promoted to the Premier League after winning the Lebanese Second Division in 2021–2022. Joshua Abah joined Ghazieh for the 2023–24 season from AS Garde du Niger.

Transitioning to life at Ghazieh SC in Lebanon presented its own set of challenges for Abah. From language barriers to adapting to a different style of play, he faced it all. "My first challenge was the language," he shared, highlighting the communication barrier with his coach and teammates. 

Abah in Ghazieh SC colors 

"But as a professional, I had to adjust, and having an interpreter really helped me communicate with my coach and teammates. and let's not forget about the food,” Joshua revealed.

However, as a true professional, Abah embraced these challenges, showing resilience and determination. Despite the struggles and the team's current position at the bottom of the league, Abah remains optimistic.

 "Our team is filled with new players, and the first leg has been about understanding each other better. We're working tirelessly to improve,” and about the future, he expressed hope that as the season progresses, they will improve as a team and climb up the rankings.

Amidst the challenges of adapting to a new environment, Joshua humorously shared, "I definitely miss home sometimes and have battled homesickness. But as we say, 'Bill to pay plenty'—work comes first, and I remain focused on my goals."

The striker also jokingly shrugged off missing Nigerian football, maybe as a testament to his dedication to Ghazieh SC and the Lebanese league.

Looking to the future, Joshua envisions playing for the Nigerian national team, expressing his unwavering belief that his time will come. "Representing my country has always been a dream, and I trust that I will seize the opportunity well when it arises," he affirmed with determination.

As for his long-term aspirations, Joshua's eyes sparkle with ambition. "I hope to play in the English Premier League someday, and I love the French League also. I also dream of donning the green and white of Nigeria sooner rather than later." His dedication to reaching new heights in his career is truly inspiring. 

With an eye on the second half of the season, Joshua was motivated to contribute to his club's improvement but didn’t want to reveal how many goals he would finish with this season. He, however, hinted and said, "To score double figures, but the numbers will stay close to my heart for now."

The 24-year-old, who has only scored twice in 11 games, is preparing for an explosive season when the 2023–24 Lebanese Premier League's second phase starts in February.

Ado Local Football Council Gears Up for Secondary School Competition with NYCPC Sponsorship

 

The Ado Local Football Council is gearing up for an annual secondary schools football competition, thanks to the sponsorship of the Nigeria Youth Coalition For Positive Change (NYCPC). The council has already begun preparations for the competition, which promises to be exciting and competitive.

The competition is set to feature selected secondary schools in Ado-Ekiti, who will compete in a bid to produce the champions. 

According to the Chairman of the Ado Local Football Council, Prince Ayodeji Aladesiun, the competition is aimed at promoting grassroots football and discovering new talents. He stressed that the competition would provide an opportunity for young footballers to showcase their skills and abilities.

However, pending the approval of the Ministry of Education, the council is optimistic that the competition will go ahead as planned. 

Prince Aladesiun expressed his gratitude to NYCPC for sponsoring  the competition, saying that the support would go a long way in making the competition a success.

In addition, the NYCPC has pledged to provide all necessary assistance to ensure the competition's success because it complies with their organization's objective.

Ekiti LFC Elections: Prince Aladesiun Emerges Chairman as Ado LFC Elects New Executive

Adesope Jimoh 

Ado Ekiti local football council has today elected new executives, in a process held at Union Hall, Adebayo street, Ado Ekiti. 

The new list of executives are,  Chairman of Ado LFC Prince Ayodeji Aladesiun, Vice Chairman, Mr Ape Olukayode, Member 1, Mrs Aro Toyin, Member 2,  Mr Esan Odunayo.

The newly elected Ado LFC chairman in his inaugural speech declared that he's fully ready and committed to the task ahead. 

He also appreciated the effort of the Chairman of Ekiti State Football Association. " I want to thank God for the life of Bayo Olanlenge, if we look at the past we have not had this kind of process before, it is something to be proud of, a special thanks to the Ekiti State FA board" he said.

Prince Aladesiun who  lauded  the electoral committee for doing a brilliant job to ensure a successful poll, also appreciated Mr Olu Oloworemo and other leaders in Ado Ekiti.

Ado LFC declares its preparedness for the LFC election

 -By Olamide Awoyinfa

In accordance with the Ekiti State Football Association's directive, the Ado Local Football Council has concluded all plans for the Local Football Council (LFC) election scheduled for March 7th, 2023.

In an interview with the LFC media team on Sunday, Ado LFC Chairman Prince 'Deji Aladesiun made this disclosure that all T's has been crossed while all the I's has been dotted to have a successful polls.

He also praised Bayo Olanlenge, the chairman of the Ekiti State FA, for his support and guidance at this critical time, saying that the LFC has complete faith in the electoral committee established to do a fantastic job.

Remember, the election will hold to vote for the position of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and two board members for Ado Local football council.

Tolulope Ojo makes goal scoring debut in Egypt

By- Olamide Awoyinfa

Nigerian youngster, Tolulope Ojo began his pyramid journey by leading the reserve side to an important point in the league after finalizing the transfer to the Egyptian team Pyramid Fc.

The Ekiti-born Ojo who was drafted into the team on the plea of the reserve coach for help since he qualified to represent them. He repaid the faith in him  by scoring a brace for the B team.

In the 85th minute of the encounter, Ojo won his side a penalty, he was brought down by a clumsy challenge in the  18 yard box, after another of his many runs on goal. Despite being on a hat trick, he left the kick for the team's designated taker, who ended up missing.

The 19-year-old was a lively presence throughout the duration of the match. Causing problems numerous times for the opposition defence with relentless press and quick gets.

 

Recall, OT9, the black Brazilian as he is fondly called, signed a deal with the Cairo-based team on January 31, 2023, the deadline for winter transfers, and helped the Flying Eagles of Nigeria win the nation's first-ever U-20 WAFU Cup by scoring two goals in the title game.

The emergence of Ekiti Football

-By Olamide Awoyinfa

Ekiti State gained popularity for it's value of education, not with having the highest number of professors at point in time in the history of the country. 

The state is also popular as agrarian and for its rich cultural homogeneity. 

However, not many can connect the state to sports and football in particular, albeit, this is not for lack of talents. There have been sprinting sensations, Oluyemi Kayode, Olumide Fasuba, Damola Osayomi and currently, the dazzling young table tennis star, Tosin Oribamise. 

In recent years, players from Ekiti state have made the Nigeria national football teams, from Sunday Alimi, U17 in 2007, to Damilola Adeyeye, U15 in 2019, Tolu Ojo, U20 in 2022 and Babatunde Bello, Super Eagles, 2022.

In 2019, the Ekiti Football Ecosystem elected Mr. Bayo Olanlege as the Chairman of Ekiti State Football Association, to oversee everything football in the state. Coming on board, he had met a state with indifferent attitude toward football and he knew that he needed to act fast to wake the spirit, someway, somehow.

He ensured and oversaw the creation of functioning Local Football Councils in the 16 local governments in the State, an action that gave the Local Football Councils the opportunity to organize annual Unity Cup, to foster the development of football in the local areas. 

Moreover, in a state where youth are already dominating the population, the idea was to make sport a tool to develop youth in the state. This was quickly put to work by organizing football competitions to create platforms for engaging and scouting young talents. 

The Ekiti league was established for non league clubs in the state and a partnership was born between Bet9ja, the number one betting company in the country, which gave birth to naming the league, Bet9ja Ekiti Football League, the first edition was played in 2019.

Ambiance of new dawn in Ekiti Football Ecosystem, as talents in the nooks and crannies of the state are being unearthed gradually. New life was given to school sports as Prof. Akin Oyebode football competition amongst secondary school student across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state was organized by State Football Association and sponsored by the state Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, Hon. Akintunde Oyebode in honour of his patriarch of his family, Professor Akin Oyebode ( The first Vice - Chancellor of Ekiti State University). 

There are other partnerships in place as Ekiti FA partnered with La Liga Nigeria (Spanish league body, Nigeria Chapter) to train grassroots coaches. 

Many people craved for a development in the system such as this, football development, and Ekiti State would be able to stand with states like Lagos, Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa. 

Ekiti FA did not leave it at scouting talents on the pitch alone as it also made sure outstanding kids get scholarships. Almost a dozen or more young male and female talents in the state are enjoying one form of scholarship or the other at the moment. 

The Ekiti State Football Ecosystem should be proud of itself, as they can easily call on sponsors and will get answered. What is left is for the state government to continue to create an enabling environment, build more sports facilities round the state, provide subventions for sporting associations, all to allow the growth of football and other sports in the state.

Sunday Ola Unity Cup Organizers promise colorful final

......Sponsor invites Governor Oyebanji, Ewi, Others for finals ... by Olamide Awoyinfa

Organisers of the Sunday Ola Unity Cup have expressed readiness for the final of the competition, which comes up on December 18th, 2022. The final of the event will be between Ajaye FC, Ajilosun, Ado Ekiti and Crankshaft FC, Opopogbooro, Ado Ekiti, is set to take place at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado Ekiti on Sunday and the head of the organizing team, Prince Ayodeji Aladesiun on Tuesday noted that all is set for the final. Aladesiun, who is also in charge of affairs of Ado Local Football Council, also affirmed that the competition has been exciting from the very beginning and the final will not be different. "The competition started on a very good note, we have worked well to put in place a good competition in our LFC, and the teams that participated has made the job easy and interesting, we are hoping to have a colorful and exciting final come Sunday" he said. He also added that the Local Organising Committee and the organising team have been working round the clock to perfect all plans for the final. The sponsor of the competition, Hon. Sunday Ola has also sent invitation to notable figures to grace the final, such as the Governor, HE, Biodun Oyebanji, HRM, Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Habibat Adunbiaro and many stakeholders.