Sports

FCT FA Congratulates Coaches Ilerika, Bassey On National Teams Appointments

Published

5 years ago

April 20, 2022

The Federal Capital Territory Football Association, FCT FA Board have expressed profound gratitude to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF for appointing two of its illustrious coaches into the national teams.

In a congratulatory message by the FCT FA Chairman, Adam Mohammed Mouktar, he lauded Coach Haruna Ilerika on being appointed assistant coach in the national U-17 male team, the Golden Eaglets.

The board also extended its goodwill message to coach Patrick Bassey who is appointed head coach of U-13 and U-15 Future Eagles.

Alhaji Mouktar in a message to the two illustrious coaches charged them to be role models and great ambassadors of the Federal Capital football family.

While imploring them to be thorough and professional in their respective duties, Alhaji Mouktar reminded them that their teams are the cradle of Nigeria football and urged them to make the country proud by producing future Nigeria football stars.

“We are extremely delighted and we want to first and foremost express our gratitude to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF for considering two of our illustrious coaches worthy of national assignments.

“The appointments and elevation of Coach Haruna Ilerika from the U-13 and U-15 teams to the U-17 team as well as elevation of Patrick Bassey to the head coach of the U-13 and U-15 team are clear demonstrations of the work the FA is doing and we will continue to support and empower our coaches to build themselves and excel

“Coach Ilerika and Bassey are just two out of hundreds of coaches we have in the federal capital. We implore you both to be professional, diligent and thorough in your duties bearing in mind that your positions are the bedrock of Nigeria football development. I have no doubt in my mind that you both, being ambassadors of the federal capital, will excel and do our nation proud in producing future Nigeria football stars, ” he said.

Until his appointment as an assistant coach for the U-17 team, Coach Ilerika was the head coach of the U-13 and U-15 team, a position he excelled with laurels. He is currently the FCT FA secretary.

On his part, Coach Patrick Bassey have cut his teeth in the coaching profession. Formerly in charge of Prison Football Club, the young coach is the current handler of the Hybrid Football Academy in Abuja.

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Sports

Drogba, Amuneke, Eguavoen Lead African Legends’ Arrival in Lagos

Published

20 hours ago

November 7, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With just one day to the much-anticipated Legends of Africa Football Game, Ivorian football icon Didier Drogba has arrived in Lagos, joining an impressive assembly of former African internationals already in the city ahead of Sunday’s star-studded encounter.

Drogba’s arrival further heightens anticipation for the game, which will bring together some of the continent’s most celebrated football figures at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Also in Lagos are Nigerian football greats Mobi Oparaku, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Austin Eguavoen and Mutiu Adepoju, alongside other members of the legendary Super Eagles generations of 1994 and 1996.

The African contingent also features distinguished names including Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor, Senegal’s El-Hadji Diouf, Ghana’s Stephen Appiah and Cameroon’s Rigobert Song, among other former international stars.

The excitement will extend beyond the legends’ reunion, with popular Nigerian entertainers and celebrities preparing for a special Celebrity Match as part of the event. Yhemolee, Sheggz, Jeriq, Teddy A and Charles Okocha are among the personalities set to feature in the celebrity fixture, scheduled to begin at 1:30pm.

The Celebrity Match will form part of a wider programme of activities designed to give fans a full day of football, entertainment and celebration before the main legends’ fixture, which kicks off at 5pm. Gates open at 1:30pm.

Organized by Toptier Sports Management in collaboration with Afreximbank and CANEX as part of CANEX WKND 2026, the game will feature 15 Nigerian legends taking on 13 African icons in a celebration of the players whose achievements helped shape the history of football on the continent.

Beyond the match, the programme includes a football clinic involving 500 young players, entertainment and special recognition for the heroes of African football.

The Legends of Africa Football Game promises a memorable gathering of football royalty, bringing together generations of fans to celebrate the enduring legacy of the continent’s finest players.

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