Sports

From Mavlon FC to Finland: The Rising Journey of James Samuel Friday

Published

2 years ago

March 21, 2025

Joel Ajayi

James Samuel Friday, a promising young goalkeeper from Nigeria, has recently made headlines following his transfer from Mavlon FC to SJK Seinäjoki II in Finland. Born on April 5, 2006, the 18-year-old shot-stopper is already making a name for himself with his impressive performances between the sticks.

Pls remove paragragh 2 and paste this.

Mavlon FC, a modest Nigerian side known for discovering and nurturing talented footballers beamed their search light on Friday at the cradle when he joined the club as a young boy in 2018. This early recruitment under the ‘catch them young’ policy of Mavlon, underscores the club’s confidence in his talent and highlights Ftiday’s unwavering dedication, which has been instrumental in his development as a promising footballer.

During his time at Mavlon FC, Friday also gained valuable international exposure, participating in the prestigious 73rd and 74th Viareggio Youth Tournaments in Italy. His performances caught the attention of scouts and clubs beyond Nigeria’s borders.

On February 1, 2025, Friday officially joined SJK Seinäjoki II, a Finnish club where he aims to develop further and gain vital experience in a competitive European environment. Prior to this significant move, he was invited by English club Charlton Athletic for a training and development program in London, where he impressed the technical crew and management with his goalkeeping skills.

Internationally, Friday has already represented Nigeria at the U20 level. He made his debut on March 7, 2024, under coach Ladan Bosso, earning his first cap for the national team. Since then, he has remained committed to improving his game and proving himself on bigger stages.

In modern football, where goalkeepers are expected to contribute to team play beyond shot-stopping, Friday excels with his ball-playing abilities. His precise passing allows him to connect with teammates effectively, facilitating quick transitions from defense to attack. Standing tall at 1.95m, he commands his area with authority and provides a strong presence between the posts.

With his talent, work ethic, and the right environment at SJK Seinäjoki II, Friday is poised for a bright future in European football.

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Sports

Montage Community Football Tourney Registration Ends October 30

Published

1 day ago

October 22, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

Registration for the 2026 edition of the Montage Community Football Tournament will close on Friday, October 30, organisers have announced.

The tournament coordinator, Mr Raphael Ekpang, disclosed this on Thursday, urging interested teams across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to take advantage of the remaining days to register.

Ekpang said registration had been ongoing since Monday, encouraging eligible teams to complete the process before the deadline.

The tournament, themed “Montage FM 99.7: Empowering Youth, Uniting Communities Through Football,” is scheduled to kick off on November 3, 2026, with playoffs across the six Area Councils of the FCT.

The grand finale will hold on December 5, 2026, at the Old Parade Ground, Garki Area 10, Abuja, where the top four teams will compete for first-, second- and third-place honours.

A total of 48 teams will participate in the competition, with eight teams representing each of the six Area Councils.

The participating teams will compete for cash prizes worth over ₦2 million and other valuable rewards.

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