Sports

NFF Board Member Hon. Nse Essein appointed as Patron of Nigeria Football Academies Championship

Published

4 years ago

November 21, 2022

Newly Elected Nigeria Football Federation Executive board member Rt. Hon. Nse Essien has been appointed as the Patron of the Nigeria Football Academies Championship in a partnership that is birthed between the Berackiah International and the Association of proprietors of Football Academies in Nigeria (APFAN).

The Nigeria Football Academies Championship which has been set up to discover quality players from the grassroots decided to appoint the NFF Executive Board Member due to his rich knowledge, discoveries and development of the game as a grassroot person.

Hon. Nse Essien, Deputy Whip of the House of Assembly and the Chairman House Committee on security, Youth and Sports in the Akwa-Ibom State assembly has seen Akwa United to several successes including the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) trophy since the creation of the Akwa-Ibom State and some FA Cups under his reigns so far.

The Club Proprietor of FC One Rocket a Nigeria National League club side, Hon. Nse Essien (Indomitable) has he fondly called by his admirers, saw on his players Daniel Doga who picked several Man of the Match Award among the conquering WAFU U-20 tournament in Niamey Niger Republic few months back.

Speaking on the appointment of Hon. Nse Essien, CEO/MD Berackiah International Mr Wonders Nwigwe Nduka was full of praise about the choice of appointing the newly elected NFF board member as the patron of the Nigeria Football Academies Championdhip.

“When you look at the pedigree of Hon. Nse Essien and what he has been doing for football, you will agree with me that He deserves such a reputable position because of the level he is operating from as someone who believes that the grassroots is the pull of the future great professionals”.

The official decoration of Hon. Nse Essien as the Patron of the Nigeria Football Academies Championship will be schedule to host in December 2022.

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Sports

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

Published

17 hours 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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