Former Nigerian footballers including Daniel Amokachi, Dosu Joseph, Tajudeen Disu, Fatai Amoo, and Waidi Akanni, among others, graced the final of this year’s Taiwo Afolabi Football Tournament held at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos.
The U-17 tournament, which is in its 10th edition, is one of the leading grassroots football competitions in Lagos State, sponsored by Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman of SIFAX Group, to discover, nurture, and promote young football talents at the grassroots level.
At the end of the grueling final matches, Fortune FA, Oshodi and Labro Queen, Oyingbo, emerged winners of the boys and girls competitions respectively.
Fortune FA defeated Dynamo FC, Iwaya 2-0 in the boys’ final, with goals from Quadri Popoola and Agbato Wasiu securing the title. In the girls’ final, Labro Queen FC and Starlet Girls FC of Idimu played out a goalless draw in regulation time before Labro Queen triumphed in the penalty shootout, converting five of their six kicks to edge Starlet, who scored four from six attempts.
Speaking at the event, Dr Taiwo Afolabi, Group Executive Chairman of SIFAX Group, who was accompanied to the event by his wife, Mrs. Folashade Afolabi, reflected on the tournament’s journey over the past decade and expressed satisfaction with its contribution to youth development through sport.
He recalled his own playing days as a young man and explained that the competition began as a modest football fixture tied to his birthday before evolving into a structured platform designed to identify, nurture and support young talent.
Photo caption:
L-R: Deputy Director, Strategy and Operations, SIFAX Group, Oliver Omajuwa; Former Super Eagles Striker, Daniel Amokachi; Executive Chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr Taiwo Afolabi; Former Chairman, Nigeria Football Association, Mr Kodjo Williams, and President General, Nigeria Football Supporters’ Club, Dr Rafiu Ladipo during the Grand Finale of the 10th edition of the Taiwo Afolabi Tournament held at the Onikan Stadium on Sunday.
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