Grassroots Soccer Progress in Sapele From 1950-1980

Sapele is usually a town in southwestern Nigeria, situated in Delta Point out. Sapele is situated at the headwaters on the Benin River, which flows out for the Niger Delta.

Soccer improvement in Sapele started out within the 1950's, when football was just at its infancy in Nigeria, and Sapele a city observed for excellence was for the fore entrance in soccer then. The then Sapele township stadium was among the many initially made stadium in Nigeria The will to fully acquire football within the grassroots stage gave start towards the Sapele Amateur Football Affiliation in 1987.

This was rapidly accompanied by the staging in the inaugural Sapele Cup of countries Levels of competition in 1988. It had been a contest that highlighted sixteen groups from Sapele and environs. Several of the groups that participated on the inaugural Cup of countries competitiveness involve: K.B Stars, Athletico De Marin, Ghana Black Stars and Loaders F.C.

The levels of competition was put collectively by Mr. Gabriel Igarri and Mr. Dan Evumena. It truly is appealing to note which the inaugural Sapele Cup of nations trophy was donated by Main P.D.O Akpeki the Ugo of Okpe Kingdom. Going back again to football improvement in Sapele, it is actually worthy of take note to remember that in 1968, Nova Luna Soccer Club was formed. It had been the primary Youth club in Sapele. It was established by Late Mr. Tony Okonedo who was then a Graded football referee. He also established Females Soccer club that very same calendar year. Following the formation of Nova Luna, came Niger Pools Soccer club in 1969. It was formed with the Niger Swimming pools enterprise.

It later metamorphosed into Strangers Soccer Club in 1969 which was fashioned by previous gamers of Niger Swimming pools F.C. Strangers Soccer club was then captained by Olayinka John( Ayogi) who died around the seventh of January 2010 right after a protracted ailment. The club existed for two and also a 50 % decades.

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

There have been 4 Point out club within the then Bendel State

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

These four clubs were later handed above to various organizations through the then Bendel Condition Government. In 1971/72, there was the eleven brothers F.C and Eleven Strikers F.C both based in Sapele. Late Olayinka John (Ayogi) was the then coach of eleven brothers. The club made the likes of German Odjegbe who was the then captain of Bendel U-17 football group that received Gold medal on the 1973 Countrywide Athletics Festival. The club also developed Prince Afejukwu, Oshoff Shogbene, goalkeeper Nasiru Momoh, Samuel Afejukwu and Ighoraye Ogayone. Eleven Strikers F.C have been then captained by Monday Daibo as well as workforce had the likes of Andrew Boyo.

In 1973, Ethiope F.C afterwards re-named New Nigeria Lender F.C left Sapele as well as in 1974, the group was then called Customized and Training F.C. A bulk of gamers from Strangers F.C Sapele shaped the Custom made F.C which was then below the Custom made and Workout Department.

The group was then captained by inspirational defender Gabriel Igarri from 1975 to 1983. Within just this period under critique, there have been other groups that sprang up within the Sapele metropolis. These consist of: Government Coastal Company F.C - Started in 1976, Seaboard F.C (Comprising Delta Packaging corporation, Life Flour Mills and Top rated feeds)- launched in 1977 and Palm Line Agency F.C- Launched in 1977. From these three teams, a joint staff to depict Sapele was formed. It absolutely was then named Urhiapele F.C. Urhiapele F.C was launched within the 1985/1986 year. The club didn't on the other hand very last long because of to administrative troubles. They only performed a person friendly match versus the Nigerian National Petroleum Organization Football Club Warri.

There was also the Rainbow Football club which arrived into existence in 1980. The club which was then participating in while in the Point out League/ Condition Obstacle Cup was sponsored by Chief Michael Ibru. A person notable participant that came out of the ranks of Rainbow F.C was Goalkeeper Andrew Aikhomogbe who later on rose to prominence and represented the U-17 Countrywide crew the Golden Eaglets with the FIFA U-17 Championship tagged Scotland 89.