Kunle Adelabu
-Tijani Hassan, Fuad Oshikoya win highest goal scorer, MVP awards
UNIZEE FC have emerged the champions of the 2020/2021 Ikorodu Divisional League.
As winners of the league, the team will be representing the Division at the State and other tournaments in the coming season.
The team, on Sunday, June 2021, was officially presented with the trophy after a novelty match against Jesuslink FC.
The highly technical match, which was played on Sunday, June 20, 2021, at the Police Playing Ground and watched by top football and sports administrators across the state, ended 3 -3.
Aside receiving the championship trophy and gold medals, the team also received the sum of N100, 000 as prize money, while the runners-up, Jesusiink FC, went away with silver medals and N50, 000.
Other awardees are Highest Goal Scorer, Tijani Hassan (12 goals) (UNIZEE FC), Best Coach Wasiu Elesho (UNIZEE FC), Best Goalkeeper, Wasiu Ozaiku (Jesuslink FC), MVP, Fuad Oshikoya (Ultimate Villa FC) and Best Referee, Warrit Adekoya. They were also presented with cash gifts.
Hassan proved his goal prowess scoring three goals for the champions in the match, while Ozaiku too put up great saves during the match to underscored his emergence as the best goalkeeper in the league.
Mr Adeoye Abiodun, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Divisional Football Association (IDFA) sponsored the prize monies, medals and trophy.
The first goal of the game by Jesuslink FC came in the 3rd minute of the match by Tunde Adeyinka (No 12 jersey) who nodded in a beautiful cross from the left flank while UNIZEE FC equalizer came in the 7th minute by the tournament’s highest scorer, Tijani Hassan.
Hassan Mohammed of the Jesuslink FC made it 2 goals for his team in the 16th minute with a long free kick from the centre of the pitch which unbelievably dropped in the UNIZEE FC’s net to send fans and guests into wide jubilation. Hassan, the UNIZEE striker also responded in the 36th minute of the match to make it 2 goals for his side.
The striker scored his third goal in the 42nd minute through a penalty after Jesuslink FC defender fouled UNIZEE’s player inside the box 18.
Hassan Akeem (brother to Hassan Mohammed) scored the third goal for Jesuslink in the 57th minute when he took advantage of a blunder by UNIZEE’s goalkeeper a few minutes after he came in as a substitute.
Mr Abiodun, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Division Football Association (IDFA), speaking with THE IMPACT, said that he sponsored the tournament to encourage young players to perform better and improve the divisional league.
“Basically, what informed my decision to sponsor the league is to ensure that we have a very vibrant league in Ikorodu. Before now, we didn't have anything for the winners. They just go home after the league and that is it”, he said.
“What we thought this year is to fund it and encourage more participation from the youths in Ikorodu. By the time we adequately engage our youths after school, there would be less involvement in crime.
“We also want to see more of Ikorodu players in big leagues and clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal and others and they would give back to lkorodu as their starting point”, he added.
“The way to encourage them is to give them incentives. So, we have gifts and cash rewards for the Best Player, Highest Goal Scorer and Best Goalkeeper.
“We also felt that there is a need to also encourage the technical aspect of the game and that is why we are also given cash incentives to the Best Referee and Best Coach.
“We do not also leave out the runners–up and that's why we gave them cash gifts and of course, the league winner which is getting a very good cash incentive, “, he said.
IDFA Vice Chairman also said that he is impressed with the performances in the just concluded 2020/2021 league, adding that the IDFA is working towards improving the league next season.
He said that spectators, payers and club managers should expect better outings next season.
“I am impressed with the performances and technical inputs in the just concluded league but there is always room for improvement. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the league but we ensured that we finish it by all means”, he said.
“We have seen a lot of improvements but we still want more and by next season, it would be more vibrant with more branding and we are hoping that two or more organizations would come in to support the league and improve prize money and gift items. It would definitely improve.
“We are also working towards getting some of the ex-players to talk to the winners of the league and mentor them because they will be the one to represent us at the state and divisional levels. We need to support them technically and financially.
“People should expect more football artistry and more awareness in the newspaper, radio and television for the league and if possible, there will be placement of posters at strategic locations to let people know about the competition”, Mr Abiodun said.
UNIZEE FC manager speaking with THE IMPACT said that he was happy to have won the league and promised the fans of the club that they are going to work on areas that the team is lacking for better performance next
season.
“It was a great season and I am very happy about winning it. We are going to work on all the weaknesses and shortcomings that we have observed during the league and in today’s match so as to make the team a better and more disciplined team”, he said.
Personalities at the game were Dr Abiodun Fatai Abatan, Member, Governing Board, Lagos State Sports Commission, Alhaji Luqman Sonibare, Chairman, Ikorodu DFA, Mr Segun Osinaike , Chairman of the Epe Football Association and Chairman, Lagos State Divisional Football, Prince Mobi Nenayon Kayode, Chairman, Badagry Divisional Football Association, Alhaji Saheed Akinsanya, Sports administrator, Prince Jimoh Ogunmuyiwa, IDFA Patron, Alhaji Saheed Ayeni, Chairman, IDFA Referees’ Committee and Match Commissioner , Mr Tunde Onasanya – Fajebe, IDFA Secretary, and Comrade Odenike, IDFA Member among others.
