OWOSPORTS

The Super Eagles are heading to the FIFA World Cup finals in Russia this summer, but the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation and the team itself have not forgotten one man who toiled for the squad in the early rounds of the qualifying campaign but is now sidelined by illness. Carl Ikeme became the Super Eagles’ number one man between the pipes months before the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup preliminary fixture against Swaziland and the first match of the group phase against Zambia in Ndola. He kept goal in those three matches. But nine months ago, he was diagnosed with acute leukemia after returning “abnormal blood tests” during pre-season testing at English club Wolverhampton Wanderers and had to undergo chemotherapy. On Monday, 26th March 2018, as the Super Eagles got into their paces ahead of Tuesday’s pre-Russia 2018 World Cup friendly against Serbia in London, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick led a delegation of NFF chieftai

The much anticipated open screening of talented into the DeGenius Talents Football Academy will takes place between 27th and 29th of March,2018 at the prestigious Royal city sports complex ota. The academy hopes to provide free tution and accommodation to successful trialists as part of the ways to support indigent but talented youngsters to achieving their dream of becoming professional footballer according to the Olusola Adebayo,the Director of the Academy. 'I noticed a trend in our society that the real football talents don't usually come from rich homes and they need some form of support in order to achieve their aim of becoming a professional footballer. Hence we are calling on youngsters out there to take advantage of this opportunity to come and show the talents in them and enjoy as much as 100% scholarship scheme which include free tuition and accommodation in the academy. ' Players between the Ages of 15 and 20 years old are expected to come with their kit

Folabi Ojekunle, a former player of defunct Nitel FC of Lagos, shared with us how he started his coaching career after his playing days, the growth of the Nigeria Professional Football League, and the NFF Eleven which was recently done in Lagos few days back. Can you introduce yourself Folabi Ojekunle : My name is Folabi Ojekunle, a former player of Nitel football Club of Lagos and currently a manager at Aquinas Football Club Belfast Northern Ireland, and also a Scouting Coach at Tottenham Hotspur London, United Kingdom How did you kick-start your coaching career? Folabi Ojekunle: I started my coaching career in 1993 while I was still playing for Nitel Football Club Of Lagos, I also play for Nigerian Railway Co - Operation before moving to Nitel in 1993 and my first coaching course was at National Institute For Sport Surulere Lagos Nigeria in 1996 - 1997 but I thank God today I have now acquire many certificates including level 1 coaching certificates with Licensed number 322