Nigerian Football
There are paedophiles among Nigerian coaches, former Super Eagles player alleges
Former Super Eagles and English Premier League football star Sam Sodje over the weekend condemned the prevalence of paedophiles among youth coaches in Delta State and other parts of Nigeria.
The retired footballer who now shuttles between London and Delta State where he contributes to youth engagement and empowerment through sports is sad that coaches who are entrusted with young children are abusing them sexually and destroying their tomorrow and the society is not doing enough to arrest the criminal practices.
Said Sodje,“Sports is a powerful tool that takes millions out of poverty in Nigeria and elsewhere in the world, the present economic difficulties in Nigeria have led many parents to encourage their children to participate as a get-out-of-poverty vehicle.
“In their hurry to ensure their wards participate in sports, they give them out without doing due diligence or proper background checks of the so-called youth coaches.
“Majority of the so-called youth coaches are of questionable character and their motive is to sexually abuse these children, not to give them coaching tutorials.”
Sodje who has traversed every nook and cranny of Delta State and other parts of Nigeria in the course of promoting his initiative “Life After Sports” revealed that he has heard too many stories of coaches who engage in the act of sexually abusing children in the course of offering coaching services in the different sports across the country, Delta State not being an exception.
The former football star isn’t just condemning the act; he’s also demanding urgent action.
He’s calling for coaches involved in such immoral acts to be named, shamed, prosecuted, and punished similarly to how paedophiles are treated in Europe, America, and other regions.
Sodje also urge parents to do serious background checks about coaches they want to entrust their children with, “I am therefore using the medium to offer strong advice to parents to ensure that they carry out due- diligence from top officials of various sports associations across the country, Delta State inclusive, to ensure that children do not fall prey to the activities of these unscrupulous coaches with their high inclination for immortality and sexual abuses against under-age children.
“As parents, we have the responsibility and the duty to protect our children from these wicked people that are living amongst us in the society.”
He also called on administrators to “I want to also seriously call on all the administrators of the various sports associations to make it a point of duty to carry out proper character venting of individual coaches that are attached to them and ensure that the bad eggs in their midst are disengaged and specifically banned from working with children to protect our innocent boys and girls for the good of the family, the sports sector and the society in general.”
Sodje said that instead of romancing the issue, we need to call a spade a spade and stop the shenanigans before it gets out of control.
The football star who played for top and iconic English sides like Brentford, Reading, West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield Wednesday, Watford, Charlton Athletic, Notts County, Portsmouth, and Greek club Skoda Xanthi, said he is ready to lead the fight against this ugly practice in sports and the society at large so that our children that practice and excel in their God’s given talents, without their today and tomorrow being destroyed by paedophiles.
The historic feat of Remo Stars, who won their maiden Nigerian Premier League title on the birthday occasion of the club owner, has attracted the attention of Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement posted on the State House X handle and signed by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Tinubu congratulated Remo Stars Football Club.
He remarked that winning the 2024-2025 Nigerian Premier Football League title is a milestone achievement that spotlights Ikenne and Ogun State.
President Tinubu describes the historic victory, four years after the team’s promotion to the elite league, as a testament to the hard work, discipline, and unyielding spirit of the players, the coaching crew and the management.
He admires the team’s resilience and perseverance, noting their courage in pursuing success despite three previous near misses in the race for the league title.
He hopes their example will inspire other Nigerian clubs to pursue their dreams continuously with tenacity and optimism.
He also commends the vision and commitment of the club’s owner and chairman, Kunle Soname.
His investment in grassroots football—exemplified by the construction of the state-of-the-art stadium in Ikenne—has provided a vital foundation for the growth of sports in Nigeria.
As Nigeria’s champions, Remo Stars have become Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Champions League. President Tinubu urges the team to deploy the same undaunted spirit and focus to win continental honours.
He calls on football fans across Nigeria to rally behind the team as they carry the nation’s hopes onto the African stage.
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The Confederation of African Football, CAF has highlighted on its website, the feat of Remo Stars of Ikenne who on Sunday secured their maiden Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title.
Remo Stars edged Niger Tornadoes 1-0 at the Remo Stars Stadium to write a new chapter in their history.
A late goal from Olamilekan Muhammed Adebayo in the 84th minute proved decisive, sparking celebrations as the Sky-Blue Stars finally got their hands on the prestigious trophy.
The crucial victory moved Remo Stars to 68 points after 35 matches, having recorded 21 wins, five draws, and nine losses.
They hold a commanding 10-point lead over second-placed Rivers United, who sit on 58 points from 16 wins, 10 draws, and nine defeats.
Abia Warriors occupy third place with 56 points, while Ikorodu City are fourth on 53 points as the league campaign approaches its final stages.
A Journey Years in the Making
Founded in 2004 by Kunle Soname under the name FC Dender, Remo Stars have steadily climbed the ranks of Nigerian football over the past two decades.
Their ascent saw them earn promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL) in 2010. However, progress was not always linear.
The club faced relegation from the top flight in 2018 but showed resilience by bouncing back in 2021, securing a place in the NPFL after finishing second in the NNL playoff Group A.
This title triumph marks a historic achievement not just for the club but also for the Southwest region.
Remo Stars are the first club from the region to win the Nigerian top-flight title since Shooting Stars lifted the trophy in 1998.
Looking Ahead
With the NPFL title secured, Remo Stars now turn their attention to preparations for continental football, as they are set to represent Nigeria in next season’s CAF Champions League.
It is a moment of immense pride for the club’s management, players, and supporters, who have waited patiently for their rise to the summit of Nigerian football.
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Nigerian Football
Spirit of sportsmanship as reigning champions, Enugu Rangers, congratulate new champions, Remo Stars
BY OKOLIE NORBERT
Reigning champions, Enugu Rangers, who beat Remo Stars to the second position last season, have congratulated the new champions, Remo Stars of Ikenne.
The management of Rangers sent a warm message of congratulations to Remo Stars Football Club for their remarkable victory in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
In a letter addressed to the chairman of Remo Stars, Kunle Soname, the General Manager/CEO of the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Amobi Ezeaku lauded the tenacity and dedication displayed by the Ikenne-based team throughout the campaign to amass an unassailable points tally with three games to the end of the season.
Ezeaku further urged Remo Stars to represent the NPFL admirably in the upcoming CAF Champions League.
The congratulatory message, titled “Heartfelt congratulations on your historic NPFL triumph,” conveyed the sincere admiration of the Enugu club.
“I write on behalf of Rangers International Football Club, and in my capacity, to extend our warmest congratulations to you and the entire Remo Stars family on your historic victory in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League season,” Ezeaku stated in the letter.
He further acknowledged the significant journey undertaken by Remo Stars under Soname’s leadership, saying, “Your remarkable leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment over the years have transformed Remo Stars into a force in Nigerian football.
“Winning the league title, after fifteen years of building and striving, is a truly extraordinary achievement — a testament to your passion, resilience, and belief in the Remo Stars project.”
Drawing from Rangers’ own recent experience as league champions, Ezeaku highlighted the immense effort required to reach the pinnacle of Nigerian football.
“As the immediate past champions, we deeply appreciate the magnitude of what it takes to reach the summit. Your success is not only an inspiration to Remo Stars but to all who believe in hard work, strategic investment, and patience in football development,” he noted.
Concluding the message, the Rangers boss expressed optimism for Remo Stars’ future endeavours.
“We celebrate this well-deserved milestone with you and look forward to watching Remo Stars shine brightly on the continental stage. Nigerian football is richer and stronger because of visionary leaders like you. Once again, congratulations, Mr. President. May this be the first of many more successes.”
This gesture from Rangers underscores the spirit of sportsmanship and mutual respect within the NPFL fraternity as Remo Stars celebrate their well-earned league title.
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President Tinubu commends Soname’s tenacity of purpose
CAF celebrates Remo Stars’ historic Nigeria Premier League title
Spirit of sportsmanship as reigning champions, Enugu Rangers, congratulate new champions, Remo Stars
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