Grassroots Football Development in Sapele From 1950-1980

Izvor: KiWi

Sapele can be a metropolis in southwestern Nigeria, situated in Delta State. Sapele is positioned at the headwaters on the Benin River, which flows out to the Niger Delta.

Football growth in Sapele begun within the real estate homes for sale , when soccer was just at its infancy in Nigeria, and Sapele a town observed for excellence was with the fore front in soccer then. The then Sapele township stadium was among the initial constructed stadium in Nigeria The will to totally establish soccer for the grassroots stage gave beginning for the Sapele Beginner Football Affiliation in 1987.

This was quickly accompanied by the staging in the inaugural Sapele Cup of countries Competitors in 1988. It was a competition that highlighted sixteen teams from Sapele and environs. A lot of the teams that participated on the inaugural Cup of nations level of competition include things like: K.B Stars, Athletico De Marin, Ghana Black Stars and Loaders F.C.

The level of competition was place with each other by Mr. Gabriel Igarri and Mr. Dan Evumena. It can be exciting to note the inaugural Sapele Cup of nations trophy was donated by Chief P.D.O Akpeki the Ugo of Okpe Kingdom. Likely back again to soccer advancement in Sapele, it is worthy of be aware to recall that in 1968, Nova Luna Football Club was formed. It absolutely was the main Youth club in Sapele. It absolutely was started by Late Mr. Tony Okonedo who was then a Graded soccer referee. He also established Females Football club that very same yr. Right after the development of Nova Luna, came Niger Swimming pools Soccer club in 1969. It had been fashioned from the Niger Pools business.

It later on metamorphosed into Strangers Football Club in 1969 which was shaped by previous players of Niger Swimming pools F.C. Strangers Football club was then captained by Olayinka John( Ayogi) who died over the seventh of January 2010 following a protracted disease. The club existed for two along with a half years.

In 1971, Ethiope F.C Sapele was fashioned and it acquired prominence because of the caliber of players in its fold then. When it was rumored which the club will probably be leaving Sapele for the new foundation, the then Governor of Bendel State- Osaigbovo Ogbemudia took over the affairs from the club and re-named it New Nigeria Bank F.C, with its foundation in Sapele.

There were 4 State 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 on re-named Bendel Insurance coverage of Benin)
Ika Rangers F.C Agbor (Afterwards re-named Midwest Line F.C)
Warri Wolves F.C Warri (Later re-named Midwest Line F.C\z)

These 4 golf equipment had been later on handed around to various businesses from the then Bendel Point out Government.
In 1971/72, there was the eleven brothers F.C and Eleven Strikers F.C both based mostly in Sapele.
Late Olayinka John (Ayogi) was the then mentor of eleven brothers. The club made the likes of German Odjegbe who was the then captain of Bendel U-17 football workforce that received Gold medal on the 1973 National Athletics Festival. The club also developed 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 crew experienced the likes of Andrew Boyo.

In 1973, Ethiope F.C later on re-named New Nigeria Financial institution F.C remaining Sapele and in 1974, the team was then called Customized and Exercising F.C. A bulk of players from Strangers F.C Sapele fashioned the Custom F.C which was then underneath the Custom and Exercise Office.

The team was then captained by inspirational defender Gabriel Igarri from 1975 to 1983. Inside this era less than evaluation, there have been other teams that sprang up in the Sapele metropolis. These contain: Governing administration Coastal Company F.C - Established in 1976, Seaboard F.C (Comprising Delta Packaging firm, Lifestyle Flour Mills and Leading feeds)- founded in 1977 and Palm Line Company F.C- Started in 1977. From these 3 groups, a joint staff to stand for Sapele was fashioned. It was then called Urhiapele F.C. Urhiapele F.C was launched from the 1985/1986 period. The club didn't on the other hand past extended thanks to administrative challenges. They only played 1 helpful match against the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Company Soccer Club Warri.

There was also the Rainbow Football club which arrived into existence in 1980. The club which was then taking part in inside the Condition League/ Condition Challenge Cup was sponsored by Main Michael Ibru. Just one notable player that arrived from the ranks of Rainbow F.C was Goalkeeper Andrew Aikhomogbe who later rose to prominence and represented the U-17 National crew the Golden Eaglets on the FIFA U-17 Championship tagged Scotland 89.