Sports

Raphael Ajayi Impresses U-20 Coaches, Tip for Greatness

Published

4 years ago

December 14, 2022

By Olayinka Elebute

Tikitaka International football club International young talented left back Raphael Ajayi popularly known by his teammate as “Marcelo” has won the heart of National team coaches on his invitation to the U-20 team currently in camp for the forthcoming Africa Youth Championships in Egypt and also the World Cup in Indonesia in 2023.

Speaking after watching him train with his team chief coach of the team, Ladan Bosso praised the exceptional quality of his play and expressed delight in his ability to make it to the top in the future.

According to him “watching him play shows he has the ability to break into my team and his excellent movement on the wings and his quick recovery ability to come back to defend makes it possible for him to fit into any team he plays for and I am really impressed with the class he has demonstrated in his few days he has trained with us in camp and I can truly say Raphael is made for the top coach Bosso said.

Also speaking assistant coach of the team, Fatai Amoo, I am always happy when I see a young player displaying some exceptional technical abilities on the ball. And watching him after few training sections with the team I can say Nigeria is lucky to have his talent and I can boldly say he has a bright future ahead of him and I can guarantee you he will play to the top and one day play for the Super Eagles he concluded.

It will be recalled that the young lad was invited over to train with IFK Goteborg in Sweden and HJK in Finland for 3 weeks in July, he also impressed the scouts who were around at the last Tikitaka Football scouting tournament that was held in November in Abuja and he is scheduled to train with HJK in Finland in January 2023.

Raphael Ajayi turns 18 by September 2023.

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Sports

29 Days To AACT 2026: IBB Club Renewal Heralds Nigeria’s African Golf Showcase

Published

27 mins ago

October 4, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With 29 days to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), Nigeria is stepping up preparations to host the continental women’s team golf championship, with the extensive rehabilitation of the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja providing a major boost to the country’s readiness.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja Director of Communication AACT 2026, Kayode Adeniyi said the Club’s Board of Trustees has assured that the facility will be fully prepared to welcome golfers, officials and delegates from across Africa when the championship tees off on November 2.

Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, CFR, gave the assurance after inspecting ongoing rehabilitation works at the Club, expressing satisfaction with the progress recorded so far.

The IBB International Golf and Country Club has undergone extensive rehabilitation following its closure to regular golfing activities for more than a year. The intervention has focused on the golf course, selected holes, the clubhouse and other key facilities required to provide a befitting venue for the continental championship.

Justice Dongban-Mensem expressed confidence that the rehabilitation programme would be completed in time for the AACT, further reassuring stakeholders that the Club would be ready to host Africa’s leading female golfers.

Chairman of the Club’s Interim Management Committee, Peter Deshi, also expressed optimism over the progress of work, with regular golfing activities expected to resume ahead of the championship.

For the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the readiness of the host venue remains a critical component of the country’s preparations.

President of the Association, Dr. Lami Ahmed, has similarly expressed confidence in Nigeria’s preparations to stage a successful championship.

The 2026 AACT is scheduled to take place from November 2 to 7 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

With the countdown now entering its final month, the rehabilitation of the Club is sending a strong message about Nigeria’s determination to deliver a successful championship and provide a worthy stage for Africa’s finest female golfers.

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