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.

Hon. Sunday Ola Unity Cup endorsed by Ekiti FA

by Jimoh Adesope  

The Ekiti State Football Association has endorsed the Hon. Sunday Ola Unity Cup.

The second edition of Unity Cup In Ado LFC will be sponsored by Hon. Sunday Ola Foundation and he has promise to give his all to make the competition one of the best in Ekiti. 

The football body in Ekiti, led by Bayo Olanlege has given their thumbs up for the unity cup and ready to support both the sponsor and Ado LFC. 

 Recall, that on Monday, the foundation declared their readiness to sponsor the second edition of the Unity Cup in Ado and assured the LFC that the competition will be a platform to engage youths in Ado Community.

U17FIFAWWC: NIGERIA TO FACE GERMANY IN 3RD PLACE AFTER COLOMBIA DEFEAT.

by Olamide Awoyinfa

The Nigeria women's U17 team - the Flamingos on Wednesday were defeated 6-5 on penalties against Colombia after regulation time ended goalless in Pandit Jawaharlal, Nehru Stadium, Goa at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Comfort Folorunsho saw her kick saved by Luisa Agudelo in sudden death and was enough to send the South Americans into the final of the the U-17 Women’s World Cup in Goa, India.

The Colombians dominated the game, and created several chances but Nigeria Goal Keeper Faith Omilana was upto the task keeping them off. The Nigerians therefore will have a rematch against Germany in the third place to battle for the Bronze medal. Spain scored a late winner against the European champions Germany in the second semifinal game, to battle Colombia in the final. The third place and final match will be played on Sunday at the D Y Patil Sports Stadium, Mumbai, India.

U17WWC: JINX BROKEN - NIGERIA PROGRESSD TO THE SEMI FINAL FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER.

By Olamide Awoyinfa

Nigeria's U17 Women's team - Flamingos are through to the semi finals at the on going FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in India after playing 1-1 in the duration time before winning 4-3 in the shoot out on Friday. The victory over the Americans at the DY Patil, Mumbai Stadium means the Flamingos has advanced to the semifinal of the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup for the first time ever. Coach Bankole Olowookere side, took the lead in the 27th minutes after the VAR review showed Amina Bello was fouled in the box, for Edafe Omamuzo to score from the spot. The Americans pressure finally paid off when Amalica Villarreal find the equaliser after a deflection off Comfort Folorunsho in the 40th minute to restore parity.

In a dramatic shootout, where USA missed their second kick, and later on Folorunsho missed Nigeria's fourth kick, before that Usani missed also but a VAR check showed that the Americans goal keeper was off her line and it was retaken and scored, Omamuzo Edafe with the decisive spot kick after 94th minute substitute Chikamso Jiwuaku had saved to send Nigeria's U17s to the semi final of the U17 Women's World Cup for the first time ever.

The Flamingos will now face one of Colombia or Tanzania on October 26th in India in thier semi final clash.

U17WWC: NIGERIA TO FACE USA IN Q/FINALS - PREVIEW

By- Olamide Awoyinfa

Nigeria's Flamingos will face USA in their quarter final encounter on Friday, in a bid for a place in U17 Women's World Cup, semi final in India. Coach Bankole Olowookere side defeated Chile on Monday by 2-1 to book a meeting with USA, who also trashed Morocco 4-0 the same day to finish top of their group.

STATS OF BOTH TEAMS Nigeria finished second in Group B behind Germany with six points while Germany picked full points from the group ( 9 points). Nigeria scored seven goals and conceded 3 goals.

While USA won Group A with seven points ahead of Brazil, who finished second on goals difference, Germany scored thirteen goals in total and conceded just one goal in the group stage. Nigeria has played in every edition of the tournament(Except 2018) and have failed to go past the quarterfinal in three previous attempts ( 2010, 2012 and 2014 ) Also the present champion of CONCACAF, USA are yet to win the competition. MATCH DETAILS: Competition: 2022 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup Match: USA vs Nigeria Venue: DY Patil, Mumbai India. Date: October 21, 2022 Time: 12pm (Nigerian Time)

U17WWC: NIGERIA DEFEAT CHILE TO PICK Q/FINAL TICKET IN INDIA

-by Olamide Awoyinfa

Nigeria's Flamingos have reached the quarter finals of women's U17 World Cup in India after defeating Chile 2-1 on Monday at Kalinga Stadium. The flamingos needed a point to make it to the quarter final against Chile, who were also seeking for the same ticket but will need a win, Nigeria lost 2-1 against Germany in their opening group B match, afterwards the Flamingos got it all right against New Zealand by winning by 4-0.

Captain Blessing Emmanuel gave the team an early lead in the 4th minute, Nigeria created several chances in the first half but was not clinical enough in front of goal, Nigeria strike again in the 82nd minute from Bisola Mosaku, who fired in Amina Bello's header. Roverner Tali pulled one back for Chile from the spot towards the end of the match but was not enough to help the Chileans. With the win Coach Bankole Olowookere side will now face either of USA or Brazil as opponents in the quarter finals.