From U-17 World Cup Triumphs to a National Sports Legacy, Buhari’s Era Marked a Golden Chapter in Nigerian Football

By FEMI ADESINA

The late Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, recorded some landmark achievements during his time in office, both as military and democratically elected leader.

Significantly, the two Under-17 World Cup victories we had were won under him, 30 year apart. The first was in Beijing, China, under the Nduka Ugbade led team, while the other was in 2015, and it was there that Victor Osimhen burst into limelight, scoring 10 goals, and winning the Golden Boot.

As Military Head of State, Buhari cut short his vacation to receive the victorious Golden Eaglets in August 1985.

In January 2016, the President declared that football loved him, despite that he didn’t play the game as a young man.

“I was too thin. While my classmates like Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (former Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters) were stocky enough to play football, I opted for hockey,” he recalled.

“If I played football, I could easily have been broken to pieces. But with hockey, if you hit me with your stick, I could easily hit back.”

Buhari had been given the Glo/CAF Platinum Award for Good Leadership, conferred in recognition of his support for football, which resulted in Nigeria winning two major international tournaments in 2015.

While receiving the World Cup-bound Super Eagles in 2018, Buhari challenged them to play fair and clean football at the Russia 2018.

The then Minister for Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung received the award on his behalf, and while handing it over at the State House, President Buhari had declared: “Thirty years after winning the Under-17 trophy, Nigeria won again last year. What a fabulous coincidence. I think football loves me.”

The President recalled the reception given to the 1985 team, led by himself, his deputy, Tunde Idiagbon, and the Sports Minister, Samson Omeruah.

Dalung said: “Under your administration, we have won the Under-17 World Cup, and we also won the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations last year. We have had very good fortune in football since you came to office, and the sports family is very happy.”

Other soccer laurels won under Buhari in eight years include the 2016 Africa Under-17 Cup of Nations for Women (Flamingos), the 2016 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (Super Falcons).

Yet others include the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations (Super Falcons), 2019 WAFU Zone B Women’s Cup, (Super Falcons).

The Falconets, also in 2019 won the Africa Games Women’s Football. In his second term in office, under Chief Sunday Dare as sports minister, President Buhari approved the Nigeria Sports Industry Policy (NSIP), designed to unlock the enormous potentials of sports as economic driver.

He also approved the 10-year Football Masterplan, which is a blueprint for rebuilding the country’s football from the grassroots to global glory.

Adieu, President Buhari. Football truly loves you.

*Adesina served as media adviser to President Buhari, 2015-2023

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

A new chapter may be unfolding for the once-glorious Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, as Taiwo Lekan-Salami—son of the legendary football administrator, Chief Lekan Salami—steps into the role of chairman with bold plans to restore the club’s lost prestige.

For many fans and historians of Nigerian football, the name Lekan Salami evokes memories of an era when Shooting Stars dominated the local and continental football scene. Under the stewardship of the late Chief Salami, 3SC achieved iconic status, notably becoming the first Nigerian club to win a continental title with their 1976 African Cup Winners’ Cup triumph.

Despite being in the opposition party, the NPN, in a UPN-controlled Oyo State, Chief Lekan Salami, for his astuteness, was still offered the leadership role of Shooting Stars, which he guided to the National League title in 1983.

At its zenith, the club was either a continental title winner or contender. Apart from being the cup holders of the then African Winners Cup in 1976, they were runners-up in 1977, as well as being title contenders in 1984 and 1996 in the old-style CAF Champions League.

The Shooting Stars were the inaugural winners of the now defunct CAF Cup in 1992.

Shooting Stars’ last national title was the league crown of 1998. They had the unenviable record of being the first Nigerian champions to the relegated the following season.

Ever since, the club has often been recalled for its tribulations rather than for glory. Last season offered a glimmer of hope, which soon faded, and Shooting Stars, from being top-three contenders, swam downstream into the middle of the league table.

Decades after the era of the legendary football administrator, another Lekan Salami is on the saddle. Is he a chip off the old block?

This is what Taiwo Lekan-Salami will have to prove as he is poised to revive that golden legacy.

Following in the footsteps of his father and his older brother Yomi Salami, who also chaired the club in years past, Taiwo is bringing a fresh vision laced with family tradition and modern ambition. During his first official interaction with the team on Sunday, he laid out a roadmap that, if realised, could herald a transformative era for Nigeria’s oldest football club in the top flight.

According to the club’s media officer, Tosin Omojola, the new chairman has outlined a series of initiatives, chief among them the establishment of a permanent club complex. This proposed facility would include a players’ hostel, a standard training pitch, a gym, coaches’ quarters, a lounge, and a restaurant.

“I have lots of lofty plans for this club,” Taiwo said in his address to the players. “We will build a permanent site for Shooting Stars before the end of this administration. We will have a hostel so that all of you will be together.”

To bring the dream to life, Salami revealed he has approached Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for land to host the project and is simultaneously courting sponsors to support the venture.

“I’ve told the governor to give me land. If the government doesn’t have money to build it, no problem—just give me the land,” he explained. “I’m already talking to sponsors to come and invest in Shooting Stars. We’ll offer them branding rights on our jerseys, pitch panels, and buses. Those conversations are ongoing.”

But beyond infrastructure, Taiwo Lekan-Salami emphasized performance. He made it clear that the realization of these ambitions hinges on results on the pitch.

“To whom much is given, much is expected,” he told the players. “If a man has such a vision, what can you do to support him? Just go out there and get good results. Do your best to get the job done.”

The players, for their part, responded with gratitude and a pledge of commitment. Speaking on their behalf, experienced left-back Ikouwem Utin thanked the chairman for his clear dedication to their welfare.

“We truly appreciate your vision and support,” Utin said. “We promise to give our best and make your dream for this club come true with the results you deserve.”

As the club prepares for a new season, fans of the Ibadan-based giants will be watching closely. With a name that evokes nostalgia and ambition that inspires hope, Taiwo Lekan-Salami’s tenure could very well be the spark that reignites the Shooting Stars’ flame—one that once lit up African football and could soon shine again.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Zambian Premier League giants Zesco United have bolstered their attacking options with the signing of two Nigerian forwards — Chijoke Alakwe and Oghenemarho Pepo Ifoni, commonly known as Pepo Ifoni.

The Ndola-based club confirmed the arrivals via Zambian outlet BOLA News, with both players promising to deliver goals and help Zesco United reclaim domestic glory and compete strongly on the continental stage.

Alakwe joins from Nigerian top-flight side Akwa United and is eager to make an immediate impact. Speaking on his move, he said:
“This is a bold step, but I didn’t come to settle; I came to score goals, win trophies, and make Zesco proud.”

The forward brings pace and finishing prowess to a Zesco side keen on rebuilding after falling short of league expectations in recent seasons.

His compatriot, Pepo Ifoni, is no stranger to international football. A product of Warri, Nigeria, the forward previously played for Ferroviário da Beira and Black Bulls in Mozambique, before signing with Sur SC in the Oman Pro League last August. He made 18 appearances and scored one goal during the 2024–25 season in Oman.

Zesco United are banking on Ifoni’s experience and creativity to strengthen their attacking unit in both domestic and CAF competitions. The 24-year-old is viewed as a potential breakout Nigerian star on the continental stage.

With the new season fast approaching, Zesco United hope the Nigerian pair will help revive the club’s fortunes and lead them to silverware in Zambia and beyond.

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