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  Shooting Stars successfully defended the Governor Dapo Abiodun preseason tournament after Gafar Olafimihan scored the only goal to give them a 1-0 victory over Lobi Stars.  The Oluyole Warriors won the 2019 edition of the tournament after a 1-0 win over Delta Force.  Gafar Olafimihan’s goal came in the third minute of the game, as both teams missed their chances to add to the scoreline.  Lobi Stars faced their first defeat in the tournament, prior to winning 5 matches before the final.  Shooting Stars will now shift attention to the Nigeria National League, which is yet to get a definite kickoff date, as they hope to gain promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Following their CAF Confederation Cup engagement this weekend, Rivers United have communicated to the Organizers of the 2020 Dapo Abiodun Cup their management decision to disengage from the pre-season tournament.  Rivers United will travel to Equatorial Guinea this week as they begin their 2020/2021 CAF Confederation Cup campaign in the Preliminary round against Futuro Kings on November 28th. According to the club's official communication to the organizers of the Dapo Abiodun Cup, Rivers United General Manager Chief Okey Kpalukwu explained the reasons behind his team disengagement from the prestigious pre-season tournament. “We want to apologize to the organizers of this tournament, our decision to disengage from the tournament was a difficult one. We have to travel back to Port-Harcourt and conduct the COVID-19 test for our players and officials. We have to perfect our traveling plans and make arrangements for all necessary documentation. “We appreciate the Organizers for their am

The final group games of the 2020 Dapo Abiodun Cup were concluded on Saturday, November 21st, as four Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and Nigeria National League (NNL) clubs secured their quarter-final tickets. In Group C, the two matches of the day ended goalless. Shooting Stars and Kwara United failed to break even, both teams finished with five points respectively in their group but Shooting finished top with a better goals' difference. Nilayo FC ended their campaign with a goalless draw against Remo Stars.  Group A games witnessed Rivers United edging out Warri Wolves 1-0 courtesy of Adebayo Agunbiade's first-half goal to finished top of the group with 9 points. The second game between Gateway United and Bendel Insurance ended with a barren scoreline. The Tournament Coordinator, Oye Bawala has confirmed the quarter-final fixtures which is scheduled to hold on Sunday, November 22nd. The top two teams from the three groups were joined by the tournament best losers

  Group A: A brace from Ishiaq Kayode ensured Rivers United maintain their impressive run following a 2-0 win over Gateway United. Rivers United have sealed their place in the Quaterfinals, with a game left to play. Group B: Lobi Stars made it three wins out of three matches played, after a 2-1 win over Crown FC. A first half strike from Segun Alebiosu was enough to put Lobi Stars on top of Group B. Despite the loss, Crown FC still qualified as the runners-up in the group. MFM FC failed to score a goal in the group stages of the Gov Dapo Abiodun Preseason tournament, following a stalemate against Godosky FC.  Group C: A late goal from Sadiq Awujoola earned a point for Shooting Stars in an entertaining contest. Remo Stars went ahead in the 22nd minute through Dolapo Toheeb’s header before Sadiq Awujoola scored in the 90th minute for Oluyole Warriors.

Group A  Rivers United announced their presence in the tournament with a dominant display against Bendel Insurance after a 2-0 win. Two second half goals from Chika Godwin and Aguda Godwin gave Rivers United their first win of the tournament.  Warri Wolves grabbed their first point of the tournament after a draw with Gateway United. Gateway United goalkeeper, Adamu Azeez put the NNL side ahead from the spot in the 45th minute. Sunday Williams rescued a point for Warri Wolves with a second half goal.  Group B  Lobi Stars continued with their impressive run in the tournament with a 2-1 win over Godosky FC.  Lobi Stars striker, Austine Ogunye netted the opener from a goal mouth scramble before an own goal from Godosky defender, Daniel Nwakamma made it 2-0 just before halftime. Kabiru Dogo’s men have secured a place in the Quarterfinals with two games played so far.  Crown FC held MFM FC to a stalemate in their second game of the tournament. MFM FC almost got the winner late in the game, b

  GROUP A  Insurance came from a goal down to beat Warri Wolves in an interesting encounter. Garshion Joshua opened the scoring with a fine strike inside the area in the 36th minute. Substitute, Ammar Abdulkareem leveled the scoreline in the 60th minute with a goal of the tournament contender, before Edeyaru Osamuyi put Insurance ahead with a fine strike in the 72nd minute.  GROUP B  Last year’s semifinalist, Lobi Stars beat fellow Nigeria Professional Football League side, MFM FC with a 1-0 win. Ebube Duru’s first half strike was enough to put Kabiru Dogo’s men past Olukoya boys.  Crown FC with a dominant display eased past Godosky FC in a 1-0 win. The Nigeria National League side missed several chances in the first half, before getting the winner in 64th minute through Tobi Adeyi’s header.  GROUP C  Defending Champions, Shooting Stars started this year’s campaign just the way they left it off last year, following a 5-1 win over Nilayo FC. Shooting Stars defender, Benson Abbey netted

The 2020 Dapo Abiodun Cup will kick-off on Tuesday evening with the much-anticipated match between Kwara United and Remo Stars at the mainbow of the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode. This is the second edition of the prestigious tournament which is supported by Nigeria’s number one betting company, Bet9ja, and newly birthed airline, ValueJet. Kwara United and Remo Stars clashed twice in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in 2019, United won the first leg 2-1 in Ilorin while Remo Stars also won the reverse fixture at home. Kwara United forward, Kabiru Adeniji says the Afonja Warriors have set their target to start the tournament with a positive result. "This is going to be our last preseason tournament and we want to make this count. We need to build a positive momentum ahead of the new season and this tourney will shape our team spirit. Remo Stars will give us a good test and we are anticipating the challenge," Adeniji said. Remo Stars midfielder Akanni

Shooting Stars head coach, Edith Agoye insists the Oluyole Warriors will set out to defend their Dapo Abiodun Preseason title as this year's edition kicks off on Tuesday (Today) at the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.  The five-time Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions lifted the maiden edition of the prestigious Preseason Tourney last year when they defeated Delta Force 1-0 in the final game. They recorded a historic semifinal victory when they hammered Lobi Stars 5-0 to reach the final which they eventually won. "I'm excited we are participating in the preseason tournament this year, we are looking forward to the tournament and as the champions, it gives us a great opportunity to defend our title. It will also give us that chance to compete with top NPFL clubs," said Agoye. The champions are paired in Group C alongside two Nigeria National League (NNL) sides Nilayo FC and Remo Stars, while Kwara United are the only NPFL side in the group.

  The second edition of the Gov Dapo Abiodun preseason tournament set to take centre stage in Ijebu-Ode, as teams set for arrival on Monday.  Ijebu-Ode will be a host to 16 teams for a week, in one of the best preseason tournament in the country.  Shooting Stars won the maiden edition of the Dapo Abiodun preseason tournament after a 1-0 win over Delta Force.  Nigeria Professional Football League teams like Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars, Enugu Rangers, Kwara United, MFM FC will storm Ijebu-Ode on Monday for the tournament which kicks off on November 17.  Draws for the tournament will take place on Monday, November 16 at the Dipo Dina Stadium by 5pm.

Ater the feverish dread of Coronavirus, virtually all socio-economic sectors are now back to life. Schools, markets, churches, malls, hotels, restaurants, clubs, mass transportation including air, rail and road travels, offices and various other businesses have resumed activities. Only the sports sector in Nigeria has remained sluggish in coming back. Across the world, sport has resumed and Nigerian fans have reconnected with their loves in the European leagues, tennis grand slams, Formula One etc. Even though these have been without spectators, the people join through the broadcasts and the sports organisations are back in business. The situation is so different here. Sports is still locked in. The government earlier gave a clear for the resumption of non-contact sports and later announced same for contact and team sports with the proviso for strict observance of COVID-19 protocols. Accordingly, the Nigeria Professional Football League has projected to resume by November ending, perha

The organizers of the 2020 Prince Dapo Abiodun pre-season tournament have announced support from Nigeria’s number one betting company, Bet9ja, and newly birthed airline, ValueJet. This year’s pre-season tournament has been scheduled to hold from November 16th – 23rd at the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-ode with 10 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and six Nigeria National League (NNL) clubs. Bet9ja is an indigenous betting company which has grown to be the country’s number one bookie while ValueJet makes an entrance into the aviation market. “We have reached an agreement with Bet9ja and ValueJet, both companies will support the tournament and we are glad to have them on board,” said the Tournament Coordinator, Oye Bawala. “Our mission is to expand the tournament and make it the hub for football business, beyond just playing football games, we want to make the event attractive to brands and the business communities in Ogun State. “This is a huge statement, to have the