Grassroots Soccer Enhancement in Sapele From 1950-1980
Izvor: KiWi
Sapele is actually a city in southwestern Nigeria, situated in Delta Point out. Sapele is positioned on the headwaters on the Benin River, which flows out to your Niger Delta.
Soccer growth in Sapele started out from the 1950's, when football was just at its infancy in Nigeria, and Sapele a town famous for excellence was within the fore front in soccer then. The then Sapele township stadium was one of the initially amateur youth sports insurance built stadium in Nigeria The need to totally develop soccer for the grassroots stage gave beginning into the Sapele Novice Soccer Affiliation in 1987.
This was rapidly followed by the staging with the inaugural Sapele Cup of nations Competitiveness in 1988. It was a contest that featured sixteen groups from Sapele and environs. A few of the groups that participated in the inaugural Cup of nations opposition incorporate: K.B Stars, Athletico De Marin, Ghana Black Stars and Loaders F.C.
The level of competition was set jointly by Mr. Gabriel Igarri and Mr. Dan Evumena. It can be interesting to note which the inaugural Sapele Cup of nations trophy was donated by Main P.D.O Akpeki the Ugo of Okpe Kingdom. Heading back again to soccer development in Sapele, it really is deserving of note to remember that in 1968, Nova Luna Football Club was formed. It had been the first Youth club in Sapele. It absolutely was founded by Late Mr. Tony Okonedo who was then a Graded football referee. He also established Girls Football club that same yr. Just after the development of Nova Luna, came Niger Pools Football club in 1969. It had been formed with the Niger Swimming pools corporation.
It afterwards metamorphosed into Strangers Football Club in 1969 which was fashioned by former gamers of Niger Swimming pools F.C. Strangers Football club was then captained by Olayinka John( Ayogi) who died over the 7th of January 2010 after a protracted illness. The club existed for 2 in addition to a fifty percent decades.
In 1971, Ethiope F.C Sapele was shaped and it attained prominence due to caliber of players in its fold then. When it absolutely was rumored the club are going to be leaving Sapele for the new foundation, the then Governor of Bendel State- Osaigbovo Ogbemudia took around the affairs with the club and re-named it New Nigeria Bank F.C, with its base in Sapele.
There were 4 Point out club while in the then Bendel Point out
Ethiope Soccer Club (Later re-named New Nigeria Bank F.C Sapele)
Viper F.C Benin (Later on re-named Bendel Insurance plan of Benin)
Ika Rangers F.C Agbor (Later re-named Midwest Line F.C)
Warri Wolves F.C Warri (Afterwards re-named Midwest Line F.C\z)
These 4 golf equipment were later handed above to various providers by the then Bendel Condition Federal government.
In 1971/72, there was the eleven brothers F.C and Eleven Strikers F.C equally primarily based in Sapele.
Late Olayinka John (Ayogi) was the then coach of eleven brothers. The club created the likes of German Odjegbe who was the then captain of Bendel U-17 soccer crew that won Gold medal in the 1973 National Sports activities Competition. The club also manufactured Prince Afejukwu, Oshoff Shogbene, goalkeeper Nasiru Momoh, Samuel Afejukwu and Ighoraye Ogayone. Eleven Strikers F.C have been then captained by Monday Daibo as well as the crew experienced the likes of Andrew Boyo.
In 1973, Ethiope F.C later re-named New Nigeria Bank F.C still left Sapele and in 1974, the group was then generally known as Custom made and Physical exercise F.C. A bulk of gamers from Strangers F.C Sapele fashioned the Custom made F.C which was then below the Tailor made and Training Department.
The workforce was then captained by inspirational defender Gabriel Igarri from 1975 to 1983. In this period below evaluation, there have been other teams that sprang up within the Sapele metropolis. These include things like: Authorities Coastal Agency F.C - Founded in 1976, Seaboard F.C (Comprising Delta Packaging organization, Lifetime Flour Mills and Top rated feeds)- launched in 1977 and Palm Line Company F.C- Established in 1977. From these three groups, a joint workforce to characterize Sapele was shaped. It was then identified as Urhiapele F.C. Urhiapele F.C was launched from the 1985/1986 period. The club did not having said that past extended due to administrative issues. They only played a single friendly match against the Nigerian National Petroleum Enterprise Soccer Club Warri.
There was also the Rainbow Soccer club which arrived into existence in 1980. The club which was then actively playing during the Condition League/ State Problem Cup was sponsored by Chief Michael Ibru. 1 noteworthy player that arrived out of the ranks of Rainbow F.C was Goalkeeper Andrew Aikhomogbe who later rose to prominence and represented the U-17 Countrywide team the Golden Eaglets in the FIFA U-17 Championship tagged Scotland 89.