Sports
Aiteo Cup: Non-League Mahanaim FC hopes to continue giant-killing heroics ahead of the Quarterfinals round
By: Abdulquadir Adedapo
The 2022 FCT Aiteo Cup Quarterfinals enter its 3rd round this week with teams jostling to pick the sole ticket to represent the central state at the 2022 Aiteo Cup proper with non-league outfit Mahanaim FC hoping to continue their brilliant run in the competition.
Playing in its first-ever major tournament since its inception in 2018, the Abuja bases club has shown plenty of prospects in the competition with eye-catching performances against league opponents.
Mahanaim Football Club was born out of the desire to rebuild, revive and reawaken the consciousness of African football players, club executives, administrators, agents, sport journalist to rekindle the almost extinct firebrands of talented African football players.
Having kept a good form in their friendly games before the Aiteo state qualifiers began, the non-league side faced Nationwide League One side Police Machines FC in the first round hoping to cause a major upset and reach the next round.
After a goalless first half, Police Machine took the lead at the restart of the second half but the young and spirited players of Mahanaim FC fought back and scored the equalizer via the boots of deadly striker Aliyu Baba, before the attacker sent the fans into wild shock when he doubled their lead to put them 2-1 up.
However, small controversies ensured their was a delay in the game, with the match restarting as the host showed supremacy to race to a 3-2 lead leaving the young lads almost facing elimination in the first round.
Aliyu Baba then scored his hat-trick with almost the last kick of the encounter to send the game into penalties with Mahanaim FC winning from 12 yards to advance to the next round after a pulsating encounter.
The second round then saw them square up against Garden City Panthers coached by their principal, John Obuh, the former Flying Eagles coach but clearly not intimidated coach of Mahanaim Saheed Jimoh aka Seedorf kept faith with the same starting line up that defeated Police Machine in the previous round.
The first half ended goalless just like the last match before star man Aliyu Baba aka Tiger scored the only goal of the match to send his side through and qualify for the 3rd round where they would face NYSC FC for place in the next round.
Their giants strides so far has brought plenty of attention to the club with the club’s philosophy and style of play built on playing the ball on the ground and letting the young players show their technical prowess in the pitch.
Sports
From Streets to Stardom: Unique Futbol Academy Scouting Program Inspires Ibadan’s Young Footballers
Ibadan is buzzing with excitement as the Unique Football Academy Scouting Program kicks off, bringing together top European football clubs and talented young Nigerian players.
The four-day program, which commenced on Monday, features a delegation of four directors from prominent European teams, including two from Kosovo and one from India, led by renowned football agent Diego Martins from Portugal.
The scouting program aims to identify and select outstanding players who will be given opportunities to showcase their skills in Europe.
Successful players will be offered the chance to take their careers to the next level, with the organizers assuring them of opportunities abroad.
According to the Director of the program and founder of Unique Football Academy, Mr. Jelil Oladimeji, this is not the first time the academy has organized such an event.
“This is the 4th edition, and we are proud of the progress and impact we have made so far in terms of exposing our raw talent to the European market,” he said.
The program has already proven successful, with several players from previous editions going on to excel in European leagues. Some notable examples include Haruna Saleh with PAOK in Greece and Praisegod Emersons in Slovakia.
As the program continues, clubs are gearing up to exhibit their talents, and the future looks bright for Nigeria’s young football stars.
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