Grassroots Soccer Improvement in Sapele From 1950-1980

Izvor: KiWi

Sapele can be a metropolis in southwestern Nigeria, located in Delta Condition. Sapele is positioned for the headwaters on the Benin River, which flows out for the Niger Delta.

Soccer growth in Sapele started out while in the 1950's, when soccer was just at its infancy in Nigeria, and Sapele a city pointed out for excellence was within the fore front in soccer then. The then Sapele township stadium was among the many first made stadium in Nigeria The need to totally produce soccer for the grassroots level gave beginning to your Sapele Novice Football Association in 1987.

This was promptly accompanied by the staging from the inaugural Sapele Cup of nations Level of competition in 1988. It absolutely was a contest that featured 16 groups from Sapele and environs. A lot of the groups that participated at the inaugural Cup of countries competitiveness include: K.B Stars, Athletico De Marin, Ghana Black Stars and Loaders F.C.

The competitiveness was put together by Mr. Gabriel Igarri and Mr. Dan Evumena. It is actually interesting to notice which the inaugural Sapele Cup of countries trophy was donated by Main P.D.O Akpeki the Ugo of Okpe Kingdom. Likely again to football growth in Sapele, it's deserving of note to recall that in 1968, Nova Luna Football Club was fashioned. It was the initial Youth club in Sapele. It had been founded by Late Mr. Tony Okonedo who was then a Graded soccer referee. He also founded Women Soccer club that very same calendar year. Immediately after the development of Nova Luna, came Niger Pools Football club in 1969. It absolutely was fashioned from the Niger Pools company.

It afterwards metamorphosed into Strangers Soccer 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 to the 7th of January 2010 following a protracted health issues. The club existed for 2 and also a 50 percent several years.

In 1971, Ethiope F.C Sapele was shaped and it gained prominence due to the caliber of gamers in its fold then. When it absolutely was rumored which the club will probably be leaving Sapele to get a new foundation, the then Governor of Bendel State- Osaigbovo Ogbemudia took over the affairs from the club and re-named it New Nigeria Financial institution F.C, with its foundation in Sapele.

There were 4 Point out club from the then Bendel Point out

Ethiope Football sports recreation accident coverage (Afterwards re-named New Nigeria Lender F.C Sapele)
Viper F.C Benin (Afterwards re-named Bendel Insurance policies of Benin)
Ika Rangers F.C Agbor (Later on re-named Midwest Line F.C)
Warri Wolves F.C Warri (Later on re-named Midwest Line F.C\z)

These 4 clubs were being later handed about to varied firms with the then Bendel Condition Govt.
In 1971/72, there was the eleven brothers F.C and Eleven Strikers F.C both equally based mostly in Sapele.
Late Olayinka John (Ayogi) was the then coach of 11 brothers. The club made the likes of German Odjegbe who was the then captain of Bendel U-17 soccer crew that received Gold medal in the 1973 Nationwide Sports activities Pageant. The club also made Prince Afejukwu, Oshoff Shogbene, goalkeeper Nasiru Momoh, Samuel Afejukwu and Ighoraye Ogayone. Eleven Strikers F.C were then captained by Monday Daibo plus the crew experienced the likes of Andrew Boyo.

In 1973, Ethiope F.C later on re-named New Nigeria Financial institution F.C left Sapele and in 1974, the team was then referred to as Custom and Exercising F.C. A bulk of gamers from Strangers F.C Sapele fashioned the Tailor made F.C which was then beneath the Customized and Workout Office.

The workforce was then captained by inspirational defender Gabriel Igarri from 1975 to 1983. Inside this period below evaluate, there were other groups that sprang up within the Sapele metropolis. These incorporate: Authorities Coastal Agency F.C - Established in 1976, Seaboard F.C (Comprising Delta Packaging company, Lifestyle Flour Mills and Top feeds)- established in 1977 and Palm Line Agency F.C- Founded in 1977. From these 3 teams, a joint workforce to symbolize Sapele was shaped. It had been then known as Urhiapele F.C. Urhiapele F.C was founded within the 1985/1986 year. The club didn't even so last long due to administrative troubles. They only played 1 friendly match towards the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Firm Soccer Club Warri.

There was also the Rainbow Football club which arrived into existence in 1980. The club which was then participating in from the State League/ State Challenge Cup was sponsored by Main Michael Ibru. One notable player that arrived out of the ranks of Rainbow F.C was Goalkeeper Andrew Aikhomogbe who afterwards rose to prominence and represented the U-17 Nationwide staff the Golden Eaglets on the FIFA U-17 Championship tagged Scotland 89.