Former Super Eagles’ winger, Friday Elaho has stated delight with the innovations on offer at the ongoing Spires 5-A-Side Football Championship at Stables Sports Centre, Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, Lagos, where he is happily serving as a mentor.

Speaking against the backdrop of Wednesday’s semi-finals, from which All Saints FC and White Tigers both secured spots in Saturday’s final, Elaho said he is excited to mentor the youngsters and happy being part of the competition’s success story.

Elaho was present alongside fellow-ex-international, Friday Ekpo, and watched as All Saints beat ASD Academy 1-0 in the first semi-final, after which Two Odds FC equalized from 3-1 down but eventually lost to White Tigers via penalties.

Both finalists will continue being mentored by Elaho and Ekpo respectively, while former chairman of Edo State Football Association, Honourable Frank Ilaboya, who was a special guest for the day, also rated the competition very high.

While speaking on his rewarding experience before, during and after the matches, Elaho retorted, “I am excited with the level of innovation I am seeing here. This mentorship aspect is a big innovation in this tournament.

“I had fun with the players and officials as they were all excited to see me. In fact, most of them were seeing me for the first time and you could see joy in their faces. I am thrilled with this new dimension the organisers have brought into the game.”

Director of protocol for the competition, Akin Odunsi added: “The final is going to be nothing short of world class, as all logistics have been put in place. We are happy to announce that all the top dignitaries invited have confirmed their attendance.”

Sports247 gathered further that the winner of Saturday’s final in the competition – officially tagged Spires 5-A-Side Naija Street Soccer Tournament – will get N5m, while the runners-up receive N3m, and N1m goes to the third placed side.

The post Friday Elaho Cherishes Mentor Role, Commends Innovations At Spires 5-A-Side Competition first appeared on Sports247 Nigeria.

The post Friday Elaho Cherishes Mentor Role, Commends Innovations At Spires 5-A-Side Competition appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Echoes of excitement are rolling through the Super Eagles’ camp in London, England following their 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe on Tuesday at the 2026 Unity Cup, with major talking points rolling for Femi Azeez and Arthur Okonkwo.

Sports247 reports that both youngsters feature for clubs in the Championship, England’s second-tier league, where Azeez, the scorer of Nigeria’s two goals on Tuesday, plays for Millwall, while Okonkwo features for Wales-based Wrexham.

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Both clubs had remarkable league games at the venue of Tuesday’s game, which happens to be the home ground of Charlton Athletic, who produced 2024 African Footballer of The Year, Ademola Lookman.

While Lookman and other top stars of the Eagles were not invited to feature at this year’s Unity Cup, rookie stars like Azeez and Okonkwo’s not only got chances for their national team debuts, they also used the opportunity to pick solid personal landmarks in green-and-white.

Azeez not only joined the rank of Nigerian players who scored on their debut for the Eagles, he became the first to make it with a brace, the first of which came as early as the fifth minute of play at The Valley.

A report by the communications department of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) noted in part, “Coach Eric Chelle sent out a barely-recognizable squad in the first game in his defence of the trophy he won with the three-time African champions a year ago.

“Azeez, who plays for Millwall FC in the English Championship, swiftly put Nigeria in the lead after only five minutes, when he finished off a great team move with a left-footed rocket that goalkeeper Future Sibanda could not stop.

“Azeez and USA-based midfielder Alhassan Yusuf came pretty close, Turkey-based centre-back Chibuike Nwaiwu combined with Czech Republic-based Igoh Ogbu and home-boys Oputa and Igboke to make the Nigeria defence impregnable.

“In the second half, Azeez netted his and Nigeria’s second of the night after beating Sibanda in the box following another swift team move, with Otele finding Terem Moffi who then located the Millwall man in the vital area.

“In the 71st minute, Okonkwo had to stretch full length to deny the Warriors. As Nigeria firmly kept control, Chelle gave opportunities to Tosin Oyedokun, Owen Oseni, Rafiu Durosinmi and Aderemi Adeoye to also earn their first caps.”

However, the biggest revelation of the night had to be Azeez, who was born in Westminster, England to a Nigerian father and Spanish mother, then grew up in Northwood with his younger brother, Miguel, who is also a professional footballer.

Born on June 5th, 2001, the attacker, whose full name is Oluwafemi Javier Azeez Beloso, appeared to have a career setback when he was released from the academy of Watford at 14, but he soon began his senior career with non-league side, Northwood.

After making 12 appearances during his debut season, he signed for fellow non-league club, Wealdstone in 2018, following which he moved on loan to Hanwell Town in 2018, then joined Reading in 2019 and was later loaned to Bracknell Town.

The 24-year-old attacker, who got his debut for Reading in 2021 and twinkled in the 2023/24 season, before signing for Millwall in 2024, will now aim to keep his Super Eagles’ surge going with another strong show in the Unity Cup final of Saturday.

The post Unity Cup 2026: Femi Azeez, Arthur Okonkwo Trend After Super Eagles’ 2-0 Victory Over Zimbabwe first appeared on Sports247 Nigeria.

The post Unity Cup 2026: Femi Azeez, Arthur Okonkwo Trend After Super Eagles’ 2-0 Victory Over Zimbabwe appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, Executive Board Member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chairman of the NFF Youth Football Committee and Chairman of the Ogun State Football Association, has congratulated Muslim faithful across Nigeria and beyond on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, urging Nigerians to embrace the virtues of sacrifice, unity, peace and compassion.

In his Sallah message, Majekodunmi described Eid-el-Kabir as a significant period in the Islamic faith that teaches obedience, selflessness and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah, stressing that the lessons of the celebration remain vital to national growth and peaceful coexistence.

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“Eid-el-Kabir reminds us of the importance of sacrifice, love and devotion to God,” Majekodunmi said. “It is also a time for Nigerians to strengthen the bonds of unity, show compassion to one another and work collectively for the peace and progress of our country.”

He called on Nigerians, particularly Muslim faithful, to use the festive period to promote tolerance, kindness and understanding, irrespective of ethnic, religious or political differences.

“Our strength as a nation lies in our unity,” he noted. “As we celebrate, we must continue to promote peaceful coexistence and support one another, especially the less privileged in society.”

Majekodunmi further urged leaders and well-meaning Nigerians to extend love and support to the needy, describing charity and generosity as key teachings of the season.

“Eid is not only about celebration; it is also about sharing with others and remembering those in need,” he added. “We must continue to uplift one another and give hope to the vulnerable.”

Speaking from his perspective as a football administrator deeply involved in youth and grassroots development, Majekodunmi emphasized the role of sports in promoting national unity and inspiring young people.

“Football continues to unite Nigerians across all divides,” he said. “Through sports, we can continue to nurture discipline, teamwork and national pride among our youths.”

He also called on Nigerians to pray for continued peace, stability and socio-economic growth in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, expressing optimism that the country will continue to overcome its challenges through collective effort and faith.

Majekodunmi concluded by wishing Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyous Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

“Eid Mubarak to all Muslim faithful. May Almighty Allah accept our sacrifices and bless Nigeria with peace, unity and prosperity,” he said.

The post Eid-el-Kabir: Majekodunmi Calls for Sacrifice, Unity and Compassion Among Nigerians first appeared on Sports247 Nigeria.

The post Eid-el-Kabir: Majekodunmi Calls for Sacrifice, Unity and Compassion Among Nigerians appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.