Nigerian Football
TESLIMI ‘THUNDER’ BALOGUN REMAINS NIGERIA’S GREATEST OF ALL TIME, SAYS ONIGBINDE
As the family of Nigeria’s legendary footballer, Tesilimi Balogun, marks the 48th anniversary of his demise, two-time chief coach of Nigeria, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde has emphatically stated that Balogun was the best footballer ever produced by Nigeria.
Balogun died in his sleep his sleep in 1972. Onigbinde, a former FIFA and CAF coaching instructor, noted that: The greatest footballer Nigeria has ever produced was Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun.
“There is no doubt about it. As a footballer, he did many things players before his time, those of his time and after and even years to come did not do and have not been able to do with the ball.
According to Onigbinde, the greatest goal scored by any player he had seen was scored by ‘Thunder’ Balogun at the Olubadan Stadium in 1958 during the reciprocal tour of Nigeria by selected England amateur players.
“The English players were always on him each time he received the ball. To beat the pressure off, ‘Thunder’ stood outside the 18-yard box with his back turned at the England goalkeeper.
“A ball was floated to him from the midfield and the English players were waiting for him to bring it down. But against their imagination, he staggered a bit, and in turning, he fired a shot at the goalpost, which saw the goalkeeper diving the other way while the ball was already shaking the net,” Onigbinde stated.
The former Trinidad and Tobago coach stressed that, “the story of ‘Thunder’ Balogun will never die. For those of us who watched him played, we saw him as Nigeria’s greatest footballer.”
Sports Village Square is in possession of a photograph taken in 1961 and has both Chief Onigbinde and Balogun along with Israeli-born Nigerian coach Moshe Berth haLevi and other bourgeoning Nigerian coaches of that era
Onigbinde noted: “He died in his sleep on July 30, 1972 at the relatively young age of 45years old, but the heroics of Thunder Balogun lives forever.
“Everybody called him Thunder Balogun but at birth he was named Tesilim Akanni Balogun. His father was a cricketer. He attained legendary status after he became the first Nigerian to play professional football in England.”
Teslim played for Apapa Bombers, Marine, Railway, Plateau, Pan Bank and Dynamo all between 1944 and 1961. He won the Challenge Cup five times in seven final appearances and was the first player to score a hat-trick in the Challenge Cup final when he put three goals past Warri XI as Pan Bank won the 1952 final 6-1.
In 1949, he was part of Nigeria’s first national team, known as the UK Tourists team that toured the United Kingdom. After that encounter he signed for Peterborough FC, becoming the first Nigerian to play professional football in England.
He also had professional stints with Holbeach and Queens Park Rangers where he played 13 times and scored three goals in 1956.
His playing career lasted from 1945 to 1962 and he was in the coaching crew for Nigeria to the 1968 Olympic Games where the country drew 3-3 against Brazil.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
By beating Niger Tornadoes 1-0 to win the Nigeria Premier Football League on Sunday, Remo Stars have become the 21st club to win the title since the league at national level was introduced in 1972.
But if professional football is the consideration, they become the 17th champions since 1990.
Most titles have been won by Enyimba, who won their 9th title in the 2022/23 season.
Yet, it was not a bed of roses for the club that is arguably Nigeria’s most successful club.
They were relegated in 1991 after finishing 15th in a 16-team league.
They returned to the elite division in 1994 after topping the lower division in 1993.
The next most successful club is Enugu Rangers, who have eight titles. But the bulk is in the amateur era when they were the dominant force in Nigerian football.
Since the professional period, Enugu Rangers have won just two titles in 2016 and 2024.
They are followed up by their age-long rivals, Shooting Stars, who have five titles, the last of which was won 27 years ago.
Heartland also have five titles, all won when the club was Iwuanyanwu Nationale.
Next are Kano Pillars, who are the second club from Kano to win the league. Before their four victories in 2008 and from 2012 to 2014, the now-defunct Raccah Rovers were Nigeria’s champions in 1978.
The NPFL winning team of 2021/22, Rivers United, can lay claim to four titles following the victory of Eagle Cement in 1997 and that of succeeding Dolphins in 2004 and 2011. Rivers United is a fusion of the older Sharks FC and Dolphins (previously Eagle Cement) in 2016.
Bendel Insurance have two titles won in 1973 and 1979 before the advent of professional football in Nigeria.
Also winning twice are the defunct Julius Berger of Lagos, who were champions in 1991 and 1999.
Other past winners who are no longer in the topflight of Nigerian football include Mighty Jets, the inaugural winners of 1972; Raccah Rovers of Kano (1978); New Nigerian Bank (1985); Leventis United (1986); Stationary Stores (1992); Udoji United (1996); and Ocean Boys (2006).
Others with single titles are Plateau United (2017) and Akwa United (2021).
Champions by season
- 1972 – Mighty Jets
- 1973 – Bendel Insurance
- 1974 – Enugu Rangers
- 1975 – Enugu Rangers
- 1976 – Shooting Stars
- 1977 – Enugu Rangers
- 1978 – Raccah Rovers, Kano
- 1979 – Bendel Insurance
- 1980 – Shooting Stars
- 1981- Enugu Rangers
- 1982 – Enugu Rangers
- 1983 – Shooting Stars
- 1984 – Enugu Rangers
- 1985 – New Nigeria Bank
- 1986 – Leventis United, Ibadan
- 1987 – Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland)
- 1988 – Iwuanyanwu Nationale
- 1989 – Iwuanyanwu Nationale
- 1990- Iwuanyanwu Nationale
- 1991 – Julius Berger
- 1992 – Stationery Stores
- 1993 – Iwuanyanwu Nationale
- 1994 – BCC Lions
- 1995 – Shooting Stars
- 1996 – Udoji United
- 1997 -Dolphins
- 1998 – Shooting Stars
- 1999 – Lobi Stars
- 2000 – Julius Berger
- 2001 – Enyimba
- 2002 – Enyimba
- 2003 – Enyimba
- 2004 – Dolphins
- 2005 – Enyimba
- 2006 – Ocean Boys
- 2007 – Enyimba
- 2008 – Kano Pillars
- 2009 – Bayelsa United
- 2010 – Enyimba
- 2011 – Dolphin
- 2012 – Kano Pillars
- 2013 – Kano Pillars
- 2014 – Kano Pillars
- 2015 – Enyimba
- 2016 – Enugu Rangers
- 2017 – Plateau United
- 2018 – Cancelled
- 2019 – Enyimba
- 2020 – Cancelled Owing to COVID-19
- 2021- Akwa United
- 2022 – Rivers United
- 2023 – Enyimba
- 2024 – Enugu Rangers
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Nigerian Football
AMAC Crowned Inaugural Champions of FCT FA Women’s Inter-Area Councils Football Tournament
The AMAC Area Council have been crowned champions of the maiden edition of the FCT FA Women’s Inter-Area Councils Football Tournament, following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Gwagwalada Area Council on Sunday.
A first-half solitary strike from Ruth Torsue handed Atandex Taiwo’s side the historic triumph in the final held at the FIFA Goal Project Pitch, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Sunday, April 27, 2025.
In the earlier third-place playoff, Kwali edged Kuje 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time to secure the bronze medal.
As reward for their historic achievement, AMAC were presented with a cash prize of ₦250,000, while runners-up Gwagwalada and third-placed Kwali received ₦150,000 and ₦100,000 respectively.
A major highlight of the day was the conferment of a Meritorious Award on the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and First Vice President of WAFU Zone B, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to football development in Nigeria and beyond.
Speaking after receiving the award, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, who had just returned from the CAF African Schools Football Championship finals in Ghana, praised the FCT Football Association and tournament sponsor Pat Ajuma Ayegba for their unwavering commitment to grassroots football.
“I am fulfilled being part of this huge success. Championships like this are the real platforms for talent discovery, and I must commend the organizers for their vision and execution,” Gusau said.
“I made a vow to be here and am proud to identify with initiatives like this. It aligns perfectly with my agenda of promoting grassroots development since coming into office and taking the sport to every corner of the country. I am truly proud of the investment and dedication shown by Pat Ajuma Ayegba, and I fully support initiatives of this nature.”
Tournament initiator and sponsor, Pat Ajuma Ayegba, expressed immense satisfaction with the successful delivery of the competition.
“This is a dream come true. I congratulate all the participating teams, especially the champions AMAC, for their outstanding performance,” Ayegba stated.
“I sincerely thank the NFF President for the incredible honour of his presence and the fond memories offered to these young, ambitious female footballers. I also deeply appreciate the support of the Minister of Women’s Affairs and the humongous backing of the FCT FA leadership.”
FCT FA Chairman Muktar Adam Mohammed, represented by First Vice Chairman Alhaji Salihu Kolo, also hailed the tournament’s success and applauded Pat Ajuma Ayegba’s landmark achievement.
“We are extremely proud of the successful maiden edition of this championship. The attendance of the NFF President and the dedication shown by Pat Ajuma Ayegba have given this tournament a strong foundation for future growth,” Kolo remarked.
In a similar vein, the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, represented by her Special Assistant, Alkali Suleiman, commended the organisers for their transformative vision.
“This initiative is highly commendable, creating a platform that takes young girls off the streets and engages them positively through sports,” Suleiman stated.
“On behalf of the Honourable Minister, I pledge our Ministry’s continued support to sustain and grow this laudable project as it aligns with our agenda.”
In recognition of outstanding performances, Jimoh Kairat of Gwagwalada was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, while the Best Goalkeeper award went to AMAC’s impressive shotstopper, Duru Blessing. Saratu Danladi also shone brightly, emerging as the tournament’s Highest Goal Scorer.
The well-attended final also attracted several high-profile dignitaries, including former FCT FA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National League (NNL), Emmanuel Attah; General Manager of NTA Sports, Kayode Adeniyi; Corps Command Daniel Asanya; former Chairman of FCT Coaches Association, Godwin Bamigboye; as well as FCT FA Board Members Femi Ajilore, Patrick Bassey, and FCT FA Secretary, Haruna Ilerika.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
They have been knocking since Season 2021-2022 when they finished third on the log.
In the following season, they were just a goal short of becoming the Nigerian champions.
Last season, they finished second again. But now, the door has finally opened, and on the club owner’s birthday!
Remo Stars have emerged as the Nigeria Premier Football League champions, even with three matches to spare! After a hard fought battle, they beat Niger Tornadoes 1-0 to attain an unassailable 10-point lead which confer the Nigerian championship to them.
The trailing team, Rivers United can only close the gap with nine points if they win all the remaining three matches and if Remo Stars fail to win theirs.
What a turnaround for a team that had twice been relegated in the past eight years. Perseverance, good planning and good structure have seen them taste the good wine.
What a feat! They become the first Nigerian champion to have come from a small town, the previously sleepy urban village of Ikenne.
Tension all the way!
And so, records come tumbling down. Ikenne is not just known for the production of eminent politicians and jurists, it is staking a claim to be the new destination of not just football, but sports generally.
A large proportion of the events of the 22nd National Sports Festival will be held in the ‘little’ town, which has become the smallest town to produce a Nigerian champion.
Roll out the drums in the 33 towns and settlements that make up Remo. Let the voices sing all over Ogun State, which is producing its first Nigeria League winners since the state was created on February 3, 1976.
Let the celebration start all over the federation as a model club with proper structure has finally emerged as Nigeria’s champions!
History still beckons to them. With nine more points obtainable from their remaining three matches, Remo Stars can still exceed the 77-point mark established by the current worthy runners-up, Rivers United, who in the 2021-22 season set a record of 77 points in a season since the 20-team format was institutionalised 21 years ago.
Remo Stars still have more records to assail. Their 1-0 defeat of Niger Tornadoes is their 21st win this season. They need two more wins to equal the 23 established by Port Harcourt sides, Dolphins in 2009/2010 and Rivers United in the 2021/22 season.
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Remo Stars are Nigeria’s 21st League Champions
AMAC Crowned Inaugural Champions of FCT FA Women’s Inter-Area Councils Football Tournament
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