Grassroots Soccer Development in Sapele From 1950-1980

Sapele is a useful reference town in southwestern Nigeria, located in Delta Point out. Sapele is located in the headwaters with the Benin River, which flows out into the Niger Delta.

Soccer advancement in Sapele began in the 1950's, when soccer was just at its infancy in Nigeria, and Sapele a town pointed out for excellence was at the fore front in soccer then. The then Sapele township stadium was among the initial produced stadium in Nigeria The desire to totally acquire football on the grassroots amount gave birth to the Sapele Novice Soccer Affiliation in 1987.

This was quickly followed by the staging of the inaugural Sapele Cup of nations Levels of competition in 1988. It had been a competition that featured sixteen groups from Sapele and environs. Several of the groups that participated for the inaugural Cup of nations levels of competition include things like: K.B Stars, Athletico De Marin, Ghana Black Stars and Loaders F.C.

The opposition was set with each other by Mr. Gabriel Igarri and Mr. Dan Evumena. It truly is fascinating to notice which the inaugural Sapele Cup of countries trophy was donated by Chief P.D.O Akpeki the Ugo of Okpe Kingdom. Heading again to soccer advancement in Sapele, it truly is deserving of observe to recall that in 1968, Nova Luna Soccer Club was fashioned. It had been the very first Youth club in Sapele. It had been started by Late Mr. Tony Okonedo who was then a Graded football referee. He also launched Females Football club that very same calendar year. Just after the formation of Nova Luna, arrived Niger Swimming pools Football club in 1969. It absolutely was formed via the Niger Pools organization.

It later metamorphosed into Strangers Football Club in 1969 which was shaped by former players of Niger Swimming pools F.C. Strangers Football club was then captained by Olayinka John( Ayogi) who died over the 7th of January 2010 after a protracted health issues. The club existed for 2 and a half years.

In 1971, Ethiope F.C Sapele was shaped and it attained prominence a result of the caliber of players in its fold then. When it absolutely was rumored the club is going to be leaving Sapele to get a new foundation, the then Governor of Bendel State- Osaigbovo Ogbemudia took over the affairs on the club and re-named it New Nigeria Lender F.C, with its base in Sapele.

There were 4 Point out club during the then Bendel State

Ethiope Soccer Club (Later on re-named New Nigeria Lender F.C Sapele) Viper F.C Benin (Later re-named Bendel Insurance coverage 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 four golf equipment have been afterwards handed above to various firms through the then Bendel Condition Governing administration. In 1971/72, there was the eleven brothers F.C and Eleven Strikers F.C equally dependent in Sapele. Late Olayinka John (Ayogi) was the then mentor of eleven brothers. The club generated the likes of German Odjegbe who was the then captain of Bendel U-17 soccer crew that won Gold medal with the 1973 Nationwide Sporting activities Pageant. The club also made Prince Afejukwu, Oshoff Shogbene, goalkeeper Nasiru Momoh, Samuel Afejukwu and Ighoraye Ogayone. Eleven Strikers F.C have been then captained by Monday Daibo and the crew experienced the likes of Andrew Boyo.

In 1973, Ethiope F.C later on re-named New Nigeria Financial institution F.C still left Sapele as well as in 1974, the group was then often known as Customized and Physical exercise F.C. A bulk of gamers from Strangers F.C Sapele shaped the Tailor made F.C which was then underneath the Custom made and Workout Office.

The staff was then captained by inspirational defender Gabriel Igarri from 1975 to 1983. In just this period under assessment, there were other groups that sprang up while in the Sapele metropolis. These consist of: Governing administration Coastal Company F.C - Established in 1976, Seaboard F.C (Comprising Delta Packaging firm, Existence Flour Mills and Best feeds)- founded in 1977 and Palm Line Company F.C- Established in 1977. From these three teams, a joint staff to stand for Sapele was shaped. It had been then termed Urhiapele F.C. Urhiapele F.C was founded from the 1985/1986 season. The club did not even so previous long because of to administrative troubles. They only played a person friendly match in opposition to the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Company Football Club Warri.

There was also the Rainbow Soccer club which came into existence in 1980. The club which was then actively playing from the Point out League/ State Problem Cup was sponsored by Chief Michael Ibru. A person notable player that came away from the ranks of Rainbow F.C was Goalkeeper Andrew Aikhomogbe who later on rose to prominence and represented the U-17 Nationwide group the Golden Eaglets at the FIFA U-17 Championship tagged Scotland 89.