Grassroots Football Development in Sapele From 1950-1980

Izvor: KiWi

Sapele is actually a city in southwestern Nigeria, located in Delta Point out. Sapele is situated in the headwaters on the Benin River, which flows out into the Niger Delta.

Football development in Sapele begun in the Mls Spruce Grove , when soccer was just at its infancy in Nigeria, and Sapele a town famous for excellence was on the fore entrance in football then. The then Sapele township stadium was one of the 1st created stadium in Nigeria The will to totally produce soccer with the grassroots degree gave start on the Sapele Amateur Soccer Affiliation in 1987.

This was rapidly accompanied by the staging in the inaugural Sapele Cup of nations Levels of competition in 1988. It was a contest that showcased 16 groups from Sapele and environs. Several of the teams that participated in the inaugural Cup of countries level of competition contain: K.B Stars, Athletico De Marin, Ghana Black Stars and Loaders F.C.

The competitiveness was set with each other by Mr. Gabriel Igarri and Mr. Dan Evumena. It really is exciting to notice the inaugural Sapele Cup of countries trophy was donated by Chief P.D.O Akpeki the Ugo of Okpe Kingdom. Heading back again to soccer advancement in Sapele, it truly is deserving of take note to recall that in 1968, Nova Luna Soccer Club was fashioned. It was the 1st Youth club in Sapele. It was launched by Late Mr. Tony Okonedo who was then a Graded soccer referee. He also established Girls Soccer club that very same calendar year. Immediately after the formation of Nova Luna, arrived Niger Swimming pools Soccer club in 1969. It was fashioned because of the Niger Pools company.

It later on metamorphosed into Strangers Football Club in 1969 which was shaped by former players of Niger Swimming pools F.C. Strangers Soccer club was then captained by Olayinka John( Ayogi) who died around the seventh of January 2010 after a protracted ailment. The club existed for two plus a half yrs.

In 1971, Ethiope F.C Sapele was fashioned and it acquired prominence mainly because of the caliber of gamers in its fold then. When it had been rumored which the club will probably be leaving Sapele for the new base, the then Governor of Bendel State- Osaigbovo Ogbemudia took more than the affairs from the club and re-named it New Nigeria Financial institution F.C, with its base in Sapele.

There were four Point out club in the then Bendel Point out

Ethiope Soccer Club (Later on re-named New Nigeria Bank F.C Sapele)
Viper F.C Benin (Later re-named Bendel Insurance of Benin)
Ika Rangers F.C Agbor (Later on re-named Midwest Line F.C)
Warri Wolves F.C Warri (Afterwards re-named Midwest Line F.C\z)

These four clubs were being afterwards handed over to varied corporations via the then Bendel Point out Authorities.
In 1971/72, there was the eleven brothers F.C and Eleven Strikers F.C both of those centered in Sapele.
Late Olayinka John (Ayogi) was the then coach of 11 brothers. The club produced the likes of German Odjegbe who was the then captain of Bendel U-17 football crew that gained Gold medal within the 1973 Countrywide Sports activities Pageant. The club also generated Prince Afejukwu, Oshoff Shogbene, goalkeeper Nasiru Momoh, Samuel Afejukwu and Ighoraye Ogayone. Eleven Strikers F.C were then captained by Monday Daibo as well as the staff had the likes of Andrew Boyo.

In 1973, Ethiope F.C later re-named New Nigeria Financial institution F.C still left Sapele and in 1974, the team was then called Tailor made and Exercising F.C. A bulk of gamers from Strangers F.C Sapele shaped the Tailor made F.C which was then under the Personalized and Exercising Section.

The group was then captained by inspirational defender Gabriel Igarri from 1975 to 1983. Inside this era underneath review, there have been other teams that sprang up within the Sapele metropolis. These incorporate: Governing administration Coastal Agency F.C - Launched in 1976, Seaboard F.C (Comprising Delta Packaging firm, Lifetime Flour Mills and Best feeds)- launched in 1977 and Palm Line Agency F.C- Started in 1977. From these 3 groups, a joint group to signify Sapele was fashioned. It absolutely was then named Urhiapele F.C. Urhiapele F.C was founded within the 1985/1986 year. The club didn't even so final long because of to administrative troubles. They only played one particular helpful match from the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Business Soccer Club Warri.

There was also the Rainbow Football club which came into existence in 1980. The club which was then enjoying from the Condition League/ State Obstacle Cup was sponsored by Chief Michael Ibru. Just one noteworthy participant that came outside of the ranks of Rainbow F.C was Goalkeeper Andrew Aikhomogbe who later on rose to prominence and represented the U-17 Countrywide group the Golden Eaglets for the FIFA U-17 Championship tagged Scotland 89.