The Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), Hajji Gafar Olawale Liameed, has received another round of praise for introducing the innovation of the Ex-internationals Cup.
The final took place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos on Sunday, with Henry Nwosu FC winning the cup after defeating Friday Ekpo FC on penalties.
Following Sunday’s match, there has been much praise for Liameed and his board members, with observers describing the competition as a gathering place for former players.
Many fans of the round leather game also cited the competition as an opportunity for former players to rub shoulders and share fond memories of the old days.
Analysts further noted that it also served as another avenue to promote football development in Lagos State as many youth clubs were enlisted to carry the names of former internationals, who became their coaches for the competition.
As he took another look at the thrills of the 2024 Ex-Internationals Cup and enjoyed the pleasure of Sunday’s final at Onikan Waterfront, former Stationery Stores FC of Lagos and Al-Ahly of Egypt midfielder Monsuru Owolabi Shobayo praised Liameed for bringing together many former players.
Shobayo beamed with joy: “I am happy for Gafar Liameed and for the support of everyone who participated in this competition.
“I am happy for the former internationals like Henry Nwosu, (Victor) Ikpeba, (Victor) Agali and all the former national team players. I am very happy for all of them.
“Jide Oguntuase, Atineh (Nathan Nwaigwe); many of them like that, whom I saw during the final.
“There were so many that I cannot mention them all. Loveday Omoruyi and many others. They were all there.
“We played together back then and I was very happy to see them live again. I am very excited about this opportunity.”
Shobayo, who is now a player agent based in Brazil, also spoke about how conducive the South American country is for Nigerian players.
He mentioned the presence of two Nigerians currently playing for The Samba Nation and while he admitted they are planning to move to Europe, he believes some young players from Lagos could make the switch to the country of King Pele.
“We still have some Nigerian players in Brazil… like Azeez Balogun and another guy. They are trying to go to Europe, but we are also trying to get some young guys there at the moment.
“Any good player we can get, we will try to bring him to Brazil so that he can start his life and achieve better things there,” Shobayo said.
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