Sports

Gwagwalada Football Coaches Reward Stakeholders

Published

5 years ago

December 5, 2021

The Gwagwalada Football Coaches Council at the weekend held its maiden award night to among other things, recognized those who have contributed positively to the development of football in the Area Council.

Welcoming the visitors to the event, the Leader of Gwagwalada Football Coaches Council Barrister Justice Ayodele said the event becomes imperative considering the impact the various individuals have made in the development of the game at the council. He said that the efforts of these individuals have gone a long way to curb various societal vices in the locality. He appreciated them and implored them not to relent in supporting the youths in attaining their desired heights in the game of football.

Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman of Gwagwalada Football Council Ibrahim Bako, said the award ceremony came at a very auspicious time, that Gwagwalada needed to appreciate the efforts of the the leaders past. He commended the leadership of the Coaches Council for coming up with the idea of rewarding those that have worked tirelessly in putting Gwagwalada in a positive picture of Nigeria Football.

Among the awardees who were present were the Patron of Gwagwalada Football Coaches, Justice Mwanda Balami, who was also the Chairman of the occasion, Barrister Pelumi Olajengbesi, Barrister Ahmed Jalingo, Coach Godwin Bamigboye, Prince Lugard Oyewole, Coach Daniel Oromade who was the first Chairman of FCT Football Coaches, Patrick Ngwaogu who was the first Leader of Gwagwalada Coaches, Thompson Ojukwu, the first Secretary of Gwagwalada Football Coaches Council, Patrick Bassey, the first Gwagwalada player to play up to the national level, and now an U. 15 National team Coach among others.

Special awards were given to Nigeria National League and Nationwide League One.

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Sports

Nigerian Goalkeeper James Honoured with Spot in Finland’s Team of the Season

Published

14 mins ago

October 27, 2026

The Gleamer

Ibrahim Lawal

Nigeria’s Super Eagles goalkeeper Samuel Friday James has earned recognition among the best-performing players in Finland following his impressive displays for SJK Akatemia in the 2026 season.

The 20-year-old shot-stopper ranks second among the league’s selected best-performing XI, with an average rating of 7.61, according to statistics published by Totori News.

James’ performances have stood out despite the challenging campaign faced by his club, with his consistency between the posts making him one of the bright spots in the team.

The former Mavlon FC goalkeeper has recorded four clean sheets in Finland’s Ykkösliiga this season, while his shot-stopping ability has further underlined his growing reputation in European football.

According to available season statistics from FootyStats, James has made 20 league appearances, playing 1,800 minutes. He has conceded 32 goals and made 75 saves from 109 shots faced, giving him a save percentage of approximately 68.8 per cent.

His four clean sheets account for 20 per cent of his league appearances, demonstrating his ability to keep opponents at bay despite the defensive challenges confronting his team.

James has also shown composure and resilience in difficult matches, including his recent international outing for Nigeria against Russia, where he made his senior Super Eagles appearance in the 3-3 friendly draw on October 6.

Standing at 1.95 metres, the young goalkeeper possesses the physical attributes required for the modern game, combining his reach with quick reactions and an increasingly valuable experience of European football.

His rise has been particularly encouraging following his move from Lagos-based Mavlon FC to Finland in 2025. Since then, he has continued to develop through regular competitive football and has attracted attention for his performances.

James’ latest statistical recognition of 7.55 rating in the team of the season adds to his growing profile as Nigeria continues to assess goalkeeping options for the future.

At 20, the goalkeeper will be hoping to build on his progress in Finland and establish himself as a regular contender for the Super Eagles, while continuing to improve his performances at club level.

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