Sport

Final Home Fixtute: Gateway United Hosts Osun United June 7

By Web News 264

By Olusegun Folarin 

Gateway United will make a long-awaited return to their home ground, the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Kuto, Abeokuta, this Saturday, June 7, when they host Osun United on Matchday 21 of the 2024/25 Nigeria National League (NNL) season — their final home fixture of the campaign.

It will be the club’s first appearance at the venue in over a year, since their last outing there on April 13, 2024, ended in a goalless draw against Ikorodu City.

After navigating two stadiums this season, the Gateway International Stadium, Ilaro, during the first stanza, and Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode, in the second,  the return to Abeokuta is seen as a symbolic homecoming for the club and its fans.

The Acting General Manager of Gateway United, Mr Niyi Soleye, welcomed the development with a sense of relief and renewed hope.

Mr Soleye added that the team has grown stronger in adversity and would be counting on the home crowd to push them over the line.

He urged the supporters to turn out in large numbers to make it a celebration for not just of football, but of resilience and community spirit.

According to the Media officer of the team, Moses Ojewumi kick off is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday at  MKO Abiola Sports Arena.


Sport

Radio Nigeria’s Olusegun Folarin Bags Outstanding Sports Reportage Award

By Web News 905

Sports Administrators in the nation’s football sector have been advised to regard the elimination of Super Eagles in the round of 16 at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Cameroon as a wake-up call for stakeholders to go back to the basics of grassroots development in soccer management in the country. 

A cross-section of experts in the industry gave the advice in Abeokuta at the draw ceremony for the fourth edition of the Egba Youth Football Championship and Ogun State Sports Media Award to outstanding individuals, including Olusegun Folarin of Radio Nigeria’s Paramount FM, Abeokuta. 

Speaking on Nigeria’s performance at the Nations’ Cup tournament, Former General Manager, Gateway United, Prince Tunji Onatolu maintained that nurturing the talents from the grassroots level would enable the handlers to build a formidable national team for the country. 

Also, the Chairman, Ogun State House Committee on Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Yusuf Adejojo reaffirmed the commitment of the 9th Assembly to the development of sports-friendly legislations for all-round development.

Mr Adejojo said the Sports Commission and Sports Trust Fund Bills, when signed into law, would bring a facelift to sports and youth development in the state.

Presenting the Outstanding Sports Reporter in Ogun State Award to Olusegun Folarin of Radio Nigeria Paramount FM, the President, Egba Youth Football Championship, Mr Olalekan Shoyinka said the body was honouring him for helping to promote rural sports through his reportage.

Responding, Mr Olusegun Folarin thanked the management of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, for the platform provided to enable him to exhibit his potential.

In the draw, a total of twenty-four teams were paired into six groups of four each, while the competition had fourteen debutants.

The top two teams in each group will automatically proceed to the second round, alongside the four best third-placed teams.

Olusegun Folarin

Sport

Gateway United Congratulates Remo Stars, 3SC For Picking NPFL Tickets

By Web News 725

Gateway United have described the return of Remo Stars and 3SC of Ibadan to the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, as a meritorious and deserving promotion.

The acting General Manager of Gateway United, Niyi Soleye stated this in a congratulatory message to the two southwestern teams that picked the two available slots for southern teams in the just concluded Super 8 playoff organised by the Nigeria National League.

Mr Soleye who expressed excitement over the teams qualification to the elite division of Nigerian league also commended them for their zeal, doggedness and determination displayed to come out on top.

He noted that the NNL provided a level playing field and Remo Stars and 3SC did prove their mettle.

Mr Soleye wished both teams a good stay in NPFL.

Olusegun Folarin

Sport

Aiteo Cup: Busari Talks Tough Ahead Of Akwa Utd Test

By Web News 708

Head coach, Gateway United football club of Ogun state, Akeem Busari says his team will not leave anything to chance when they take on NPFL leader, Akwa United in Aiteo cup on Wednesday. 

The encounter is billed for the FIFA goal project Games Village, Abuja.

Coach Busari said the clash posed a special opportunity for his boys to make the good people of Ogun state proud considering the morale of the players.

He said the players are in the capital city not to glare at the beautiful city but to conquer.

According to the media officer of Gateway United, Moses Ojewumi, the team arrived in Abuja Monday evening, and will have a feel of the turf on Tuesday by 2pm.

Olusegun Folarin

Sport

Restructure Gateway United Football Club For Better Performance- Bukola Olopade

By Web News 1008

Former Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Ogun State, Mr. Bukola Olopade has advocated the need for the government to restructure Gateway United Football Club for better performance.

Mr. Olopade who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited made the call while speaking with journalists in Abeokuta after his team defeated Nnewi United by two goals to one in Nigeria National League encounter.

The former Youth and Sports Commissioner who also stressed the need for the present administration to increase the salaries of players of gateway United said it would be the desire of all the stakeholders in the state to see gateway United FC in the elite division of Nigerian league.

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Mr. Olopade who described the Nigeria National League as important to the development of football in the country said there was the need for equity and fairness in the officiating across match venues.

Speaking in the same vein, Chief Executive Officer, Nnewi United Football Club, Mr. Olisa Onuchukwu who expressed disappointment over the officiating involving his club and Nilayo FC said the team remained resolute to pick the ticket to NPFL regardless of the big names in the group.

President of Nilayo FC. Mr Ebidowei Oweifie expressed satisfaction with the performance of his players especially coming from a goal down to beat Nnewi United two goals to one.  

Olusegun Folarin