Lagos State Football League Kicks Off March 19

All is now set for the kick off of this year’s Lagos State Football League across different centres in the state.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Wale Joseph, stated this on Wednesday during the unveiling and draws for the league which will be played under two Conferences – the Atlantic and Mainland.

According to him, 14 teams from the five Divisional Football Associations of the state would compete in the male version of the league while 10 teams would compete in the female category.

He said: “All hands have been put on deck for a successful organisation of this year’s league and I want to assure football fans that they would have more than they can chew.

“The officials are ready, the players are ready and the referees are also ready to go”, he said.

Joseph, however, warned the participating teams to desist from boycotting matches as any team that misses a game will be relegated automatically.

The State League boss said the league body will not condone any such unprofessional conduct from teams who fail to show up for their match or matches simply because they believe they have lost out and may not stand a chance.

He said: “Teams that miss matches will not be tolerated for any reason.

“Any side that chooses to miss a game for flimsy reasons will be thrown out and relegated automatically.

“Teams need to honour all their matches even if they had lost all previous games.

“We need to play by the rules and shun acts capable of bringing the league to disrepute”, he noted.

Speaking at the event, chairman of the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), Hajj Liameed Gafar, extolled and celebrated the league for producing top talents such as Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, Kayode Bankole and Tolu Arokodare who now all play for the Nigeria national team, Super Eagles.

Gafar said: “We have a gold mine in our hands but we don’t realize it.

“About six players or more in the current Super Eagles squad featured in this league at one time or the other.

“Victor Osimhen with Ultimate Strikers FC, Ojota, Wilfred Ndidi played for Nath Boys while Lookman Ademola starred for Sporting Football Academy under coach Baba Adeshina, Victor Boniface was with Royal Real Sapphire, Bankole was in the colours of 36 Lion while Arokodare played for Box 2 Box.

“So this league has played a very key role in Nigeria football development dating back to many years”, Gafar stressed.

The female teams are: Victorious Angel, CAT Ladies, Ghetto Tigress, FC Phoenix, Great Stars Amazons, Unizee Shella, Edufoot, Unification Talents, Victory Queens and Ayisat Yusuf Academy.

The male teams are: Diadem Stallion, Lekki Junior Strikers, Chekas United, SC Heritage, Bucknor FC, Team 360 FC, Young Strikers, Utmost FC, Ibeju Lekki United, Arubinjaga FC, Unizee FC, DN 10, SGH SA and Ighalo Football Academy.