Nigerian Football

Remembering Israel Adebajo, 48 Years After

Published

9 years ago

July 25, 2017

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

It is 48 years today that Israel Adebajo, the founder of the oldest surviving club in Nigeria, Stationary Stores FC of Lagos, passed on.

Till the last decade, the Stationery Stores which he founded from the ashes of Oluwole Philips FC in 1958 was Nigeria’s most fanatically supported sports club.

He established the Nigerian Office Stationery Supplies Stores which football arm was simply called Stationery Stores. It has appellations such as “Flaming Flamingos”, “Super Stores” and Adebajo Babes”.

Adebajo, one of the pillars of the Nigeria Football Association in the late 1950s to the middle of 1960s, died on July 25, 1969, few weeks before Stationery Stores’ final match in the then Challenge Cup.

The famed Super Stores drew players and fans across the country and sometimes too, from Ghana and other West African countries. He had what could be the first professional club in Nigeria as players were drawn from near and wide.

So strong was his club that it supplied nine of the starting eleven for Nigeria at the Mexico 1968 Olympics which was the first time Nigerian footballers had the opportunity to grace a global stage.

Even with nine of the Stores’ players representing Nigeria in Mexico, the club still had enough pool of talents to continue in domestic football competition.

In the March 26, 1961 election into the Nigeria Football Association, Israel Adebajo emerged as the treasurer of the football governing body.

He nurtured the Super Stores to win the Challenge Cup twice in a row and was at the brink of a hat-trick in 1969 before his death dealt a devastating blow on the club.

Nigerian Football

Chelle Names Blend of Stars, New Faces For Unity Cup, European Friendlies

Published

7 hours ago

May 20, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Head Coach Eric Chelle has unveiled a blend of experienced internationals, home-based talents and exciting new faces in his squads for the 2026 Unity Cup Mini-Tournament and next month’s high-profile international friendlies against Poland and Portugal.

The Franco-Malian tactician retained key stars such as captain Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, Terem Moffi and Akor Adams in the 27-man squad for the Unity Cup competition scheduled for Charlton Athletic’s Valley Stadium in London between May 26 and 30.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will begin their title defence against Zimbabwe on May 26, with victory sending them into the final against either Jamaica or India.

Chelle also handed maiden invitations to goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, defender Emmanuel Fernandez, midfielders Tochukwu Nnadi and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, as well as forward Rafiu Durosinm. His intention appears to expand the national team pool ahead of upcoming international assignments.

A number of Nigeria Premier Football League players also made the cut, including goalkeeper Michael Atata and defenders Elias Ochobi, Chibueze Oputa and Obinna Igboke, alongside midfield trio Aderemi Adeoye, Ayobami Junior and Tosin Oyedokun.

For the glamour friendlies against Poland and Portugal in Europe, Chelle recalled several senior stars, including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey in a strong 24-man squad.

Nigeria will face Poland at the PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw on June 3 before travelling to Leiria to confront Portugal on June 10 in what will be the Portuguese side’s final preparatory game before the FIFA World Cup finals.

The friendlies are expected to provide Chelle with a major test as he continues rebuilding the Super Eagles ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where Nigeria have been drawn alongside Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau.

The squad announcement has already generated excitement among fans, particularly with the inclusion of several emerging talents and the return of established stars expected to spearhead Nigeria’s preparations for a demanding international calendar.

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Nigerian Football

Segun Odegbami Pays Emotional Tribute to Okala on 75th Birthday

Published

3 days ago

May 18, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Emmanuel Okala in his prime — an intimidating giant to opposing strikers and a commanding presence between the posts for Enugu Rangers and Nigeria’s Green Eagles

By Kunle Solaja.

Nigerian football legend Segun Odegbami has paid glowing tribute to former Green Eagles goalkeeper Emmanuel Okala on the occasion of his 75th birthday, describing him as the “safest pair of goalkeeping hands on the African continent.”

In an emotional LinkedIn post on Sunday, Odegbami joined other admirers in celebrating the former Nigeria national football team star, fondly known as “Babuje,” “Man Mountain” and “Tallest” during his illustrious playing career.

Odegbami and Okala shared a fierce but respectful rivalry in Nigerian club football during the 1970s, with Odegbami starring for Shooting Stars Sports Club, then known as IICC Shooting Stars, while Okala was the commanding figure in goal for Enugu Rangers. The pair were also teammates in the national team setup, then known as the Green Eagles.

Former rivals and teammates during their playing days: from left, Samuel Ojebode, captain of Shooting Stars Sports Club and left-back of the Green Eagles; Christian Chukwu, captain of Enugu Rangers and the Green Eagles; Segun Odegbami, the attacking livewire of Shooting Stars and the Green Eagles; and Emmanuel Okala, the legendary “Rock of Gibraltar” for Rangers and Nigeria’s Green Eagles.

“Before this day ends, I wish to add my humble voice to the chorus of congratulations on the 75th anniversary of the birth of ‘Man Mountain’, ‘Tallest’, Chief Emmanuel Okala, MON,” Odegbami wrote.

He praised Okala’s extraordinary achievements in African football, recalling that the towering goalkeeper became the first Nigerian footballer to be named Africa’s Best Player by the African Sports Journalists Union.

“He was the safest pair of goalkeeping hands on the African continent,” Odegbami stated while praying for continued good health and long life for his former teammate and friend.

The former Nigerian captain added that his message was sent “on behalf of all generations of Nigerian football players,” underlining the enduring respect Okala commands within the country’s football community.

Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest goalkeepers, Okala enjoyed a distinguished career with Rangers and the Green Eagles, winning several domestic honours and playing a major role in Nigeria’s rise as a continental football force in the 1970s. His imposing presence, reflexes and leadership earned him legendary status in Nigerian football history.

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Nigerian Football

Maikaba Begins Flying Eagles Rebuild, Invites 35 Players to Camp

Published

5 days ago

May 15, 2026

Kunle Solaja

New Head Coach Abdu Maikaba has begun the rebuilding process of Nigeria’s U20 national team after inviting 35 players to camp ahead of the WAFU B U20 Championship scheduled for Côte d’Ivoire in July.

The invited players are expected to report to camp in Abuja on Saturday as preparations begin for the regional competition, which also serves as a major platform for talent discovery and qualification battles in West African youth football.

Maikaba’s first provisional squad reflects a blend of home-based talents and a handful of Europe-based youngsters, suggesting an attempt to balance local league development with foreign exposure.

The list includes players drawn from Nigeria Premier Football League clubs, lower-division sides, academies and overseas teams in Croatia, Spain, Ukraine and the Czech Republic.

Among the notable inclusions are Sporting Lagos goalkeeper Clinton Lawani, Croatia-based Abubakar Rufai of NK-Istra 1961, and Akwa United’s Uchechukwu Aloysius.

In defence, Maikaba called up Spain-based Wahab Bolanle Musa of FC Malaga, alongside home-based prospects such as Ayinla Olayomi of Warri Wolves and Abubakar Aliyu of Wikki Tourists.

The midfield department features a mix of creativity and physical presence, including Imran Ahmad of Kano Pillars, Sale Abdulrashid from Kryubar FC in Ukraine, and Simon Karshe Cletus of FC Rijeka in Croatia.

Up front, Maikaba appears to have focused heavily on pace and attacking depth, with invitations extended to Katsina United striker Abba Dalli, Spain-based Imrana Mohammed of FC Alaves, and Sporting Lagos duo Seun Akanji and Alex Leme.

The inclusion of several academy products also underlines the continuing role grassroots football is playing in Nigeria’s youth-team structure.

Observers will be keen to see the style and identity Maikaba introduces to the Flying Eagles after taking over the team, especially with Nigeria seeking to reassert its dominance in the WAFU B region and build another generation capable of competing strongly at continental and global levels.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles remain one of Africa’s most successful youth teams, having won the Africa U20 Cup of Nations multiple times and finishing runners-up twice at the FIFA U20 World Cup.

The WAFU B Championship in Côte d’Ivoire is expected to provide the first real test of Maikaba’s new squad and technical direction.

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