Nigerian Football
Legacy Renewed: Taiwo Lekan-Salami Charts Bold Path for Shooting Stars Revival
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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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
A dark cloud continues to hang over Nigeria’s sporting community as yet another football icon, Kadiri Ikhana, battles for his life. The former Green Eagles defender and celebrated coach is currently critically ill and receiving treatment at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State.
Kadiri Ikhana at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State.
The sad news was made public by former Nigeria international, Segun Odegbami, in an emotional appeal on Sunday.
Odegbami, a teammate of Ikhana in Nigeria’s victorious 1980 Africa Cup of Nations squad, expressed deep concern over the increasing health and welfare challenges facing retired Nigerian athletes.
“This is frustrating,” Odegbami wrote. “It is absolutely clear to me that most of us, retired international Nigerian athletes, need help. We are suffering, living in pain, poverty, and poor health.”
According to Odegbami, five former athletes have died in the past four months, most of them at relatively young ages. While the causes remain uncertain, he warned that the physical toll of years of sporting activity may be contributing to the spate of untimely deaths.
He described Ikhana’s condition as “critical,” revealing that the former Bendel Insurance stalwart and Nigeria’s most successful domestic league coach was recently transferred to the specialist hospital for intensive medical care, including immediate blood transfusion.
The call for help was sparked by Austin Braimoh, former Chairman of the South-South Police Service Commission, who has so far covered Ikhana’s mounting medical expenses and alerted Odegbami to his condition.
In a frail voice during a moment of consciousness, Ikhana, popularly known as “Kawawa,” reportedly asked for prayers from Nigerians.
“That’s what I am doing now,” Odegbami wrote, urging the government of Edo State, the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria Football Federation, and kind-hearted Nigerians to come to Ikhana’s aid.
Kadiri Ikhana, MON, is widely revered not just for his time with the national team, but also for his success as a coach—guiding Enyimba FC to Nigeria’s first-ever CAF Champions League title in 2003 and contributing significantly to the growth of local football in the country.
Odegbami’s appeal comes amid a wave of sorrow, as news also emerged of the passing of two prominent national figures—former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona—on the same day, July 13.
“Death is on the prowl this season,” Odegbami concluded, attaching a recent photo of Ikhana and expressing his helplessness. “Please, let’s help him in any way we can. I do not know what else to say or do.”
The nation watches with bated breath, hoping for a miracle for one of its greatest football sons.
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Nigerian Football
Ex-NFF President Maigari Pays Solidarity Visit to Recuperating Ibrahim Galadima in Kano
BY LURWANU IDRIS MALIKAWA GARU
Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari, paid a heartfelt solidarity visit to former Chairman of the defunct Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Ibrahim Galadima, who is currently recovering from surgery in Kano.
Maigari, who travelled from Bauchi for the visit, arrived at Galadima’s Dandali Fagge residence on Saturday, where he expressed joy over the steady recovery of the veteran football administrator.
“I feel very happy today. I have seen Galadima, and he is recovering fast,” Maigari told reporters. “He remains one of the pillars of Nigerian football and sports in general.”
The former NFF boss also offered prayers for Galadima’s continued good health and speedy recovery, extending his well-wishes to all others facing medical challenges both at home and in hospitals across the country.
In his response, Galadima expressed deep appreciation for Maigari’s visit, noting that the gesture reflected the enduring bond within the Nigerian football family.
“I am humbled that despite his tight schedule, Maigari made time to visit,” Galadima said.
“This visit is proof that the spirit of football goes beyond the pitch or administrative politics—it’s a family affair.”
The former NFA chairman also thanked members of the football community nationwide for their overwhelming support during his hospital stay and recovery process.
He expressed gratitude to government officials, traditional rulers, politicians, business leaders, and the public—both local and international—who visited or sent goodwill messages during his period of convalescence at a private medical facility in Kano.
“I was dazed by the love and care shown to me. It truly shows the unity and strength of our football family,” Galadima added.
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