By Yusuf Olatunji
It was otball artistry at its best on Saturday at the training pitch of the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta,when the home team Oluwole FC of Abeokuta took on the "Egba NLL/NPFL Professionals" for the end of the season get-together friendly match,first of its kind with fanfare and peagentry
The match was watched by a mammoth of fans and spectators alike,among whom was the newly decorated Patron of the Egba NLL/NPFL Professionals, Alhaji Waheed Adeoye Lawal who is also the President of All Stars Football Club Abeokuta,Patron of Nigeria Football Supporters' Club,Ogun State Chapter and Chairman of Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria,YSFON Ogun State Chapter
Speaking after the match which ended 1-nill in favour of the Professionals,Alhaji Lawal admonished the players on both sides, especially the upcoming ones not to relent on their efforts in order to attain the highest level they desired for themselves,he said "my expectations is to see more of Egba Players in the Nigeria National League(NLL)and the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL),and the Oluwole boys,just a team playing in the State League,you see they can match those playing in the National Leagues,just for some tactical prowess from the big boys,the match could have ended even,so I see many more of the home boys fixturing in the big Leagues very soon and some of them even moving abroad to continue plying their trade"
The Patron of the Ogun State Athletics Association and Chairman of Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria,PFAN Ogun State Chapter continues,"they should keep up the spirit as they intensify their trainings,but the should put it in mind that if a player want to be above average,he must be ready to do extra,the Coach would only train the team together,an above-average player must design programs on his own"
Also speaking,Captain of the NLL/NPFL All Stars,Jamiu Sanni Pawpaw who is also the Skipper of the Ogun State-owned National League outfit,Gateway United said he felt very elated playing the match,that they organised the game just to felicitate,wine and dine together after a hectic season in the League,he charged the upcoming players to put all efforts in the game,that the sky would be the limit.He prayed to see more players of Egba descent turn professionals
Elkanemi Warriors of Maiduguri's Goaltender, Sheriff Kehinde who was in goal for the "big boys" said they all started the game of football together as rookies,some are only privileged to be playing at a higher level now,he said the upcoming ones should never be discouraged,that there are many talented Footballers in the State,they should only work hard on their talents and pray for God's grace
The only goal of the match came off the boots of Smart City FC of Lagos' attacking Midfielder,Kareem Yusuf,also in the lineup was his teammate,Fatai Odumbaku,others include,Olamilekan Abdusalam and Kabiru Popoola both of Vandrezzer FC, Gateway Utd FC's right-back and Sulaimon 'Soccer' Ogunleye and mercurial Midfielder Sunkanmi Odusina and others.The team was coached by another Egba Legend,former 3SC of Ibadan Skipper and Coach of Abeokuta Stormers SC,Shakiru Lawal
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