Nigerian Football
Remembering Israel Adebajo, 48 Years After
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
It is 48 years today that Israel Adebajo, the founder of the oldest surviving club in Nigeria, Stationary Stores FC of Lagos, passed on.
Till the last decade, the Stationery Stores which he founded from the ashes of Oluwole Philips FC in 1958 was Nigeria’s most fanatically supported sports club.
He established the Nigerian Office Stationery Supplies Stores which football arm was simply called Stationery Stores. It has appellations such as “Flaming Flamingos”, “Super Stores” and Adebajo Babes”.
Adebajo, one of the pillars of the Nigeria Football Association in the late 1950s to the middle of 1960s, died on July 25, 1969, few weeks before Stationery Stores’ final match in the then Challenge Cup.
The famed Super Stores drew players and fans across the country and sometimes too, from Ghana and other West African countries. He had what could be the first professional club in Nigeria as players were drawn from near and wide.
So strong was his club that it supplied nine of the starting eleven for Nigeria at the Mexico 1968 Olympics which was the first time Nigerian footballers had the opportunity to grace a global stage.
Even with nine of the Stores’ players representing Nigeria in Mexico, the club still had enough pool of talents to continue in domestic football competition.
In the March 26, 1961 election into the Nigeria Football Association, Israel Adebajo emerged as the treasurer of the football governing body.
He nurtured the Super Stores to win the Challenge Cup twice in a row and was at the brink of a hat-trick in 1969 before his death dealt a devastating blow on the club.
The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.
The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.
Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
The Nigerian Premier Football League burst into life this Sunday with eight matches on the card and contrasting results. Three of the eight matches resulted in away wins signalling level playing field of the league.
It is a sharp departure from the past seasons when it is almost predictable that home teams would win. Remo Stars, Enyimba and Niger Tornadoes have away wins and with scoring multiple goals.
Remo Stars won against Abia Warriors by 2-0. Enyimba came from a goal down to win 3-1 against Heartland while Niger Tornadoes beat Kwara United 2-1 away from home.
- Kwara United 1-2 Niger Tornadoes
- Sunshine 3-0 Bayelsa: Saidu Salisu
- Bendel Insurance 0-0 Rivers United
- Heartland 1-3 Enyimba
- Abia Warriors 0-2 Remo Stars
- Plateau United 1-0 Katsina United
- Kano Pillars 3-0 Ikorodu City
- Nasarawa United 1-1 Shooting Stars
The Nigerian football fields are set agog again as the Nigeria Premier Football League gets underway with the Season 2024/25.
The opening matches are not staggered as in the previous seasons. Rather, all the matches will be played simultaneously at 4 pm.
Sunshine Stars are hosting Bayelsa United. Bendel Insurance will host Rivers United.
Bendel Insurance begin another title race to see if they can be crownd Nigerian champions. They last won the Nigeria topmost league in 1979.
Former Enyimba and Super Eagles’ coach, Finidi George opens his bew adventure in Port Harcourt with a home game of Rivers United against Bendel Insurance.
Crowd-pulling Kano Pillars will clash with new comers, Ikorodu City. Kano Pillars, with a passionate home crowd, are always a formidable opponents.
Kwara United will look to dominate at home as they host Niger Tornadoes.
The Oriental Derby will be in Owerri as Heartland FC, lucky escapee into the top league will host Enyimba FC. Heartland which took the place of Beyon Limit Academy of Ikenne be looking to make a strong start at home after re-invigorating their squad with new signings and trimming old legs.
Their coach, Emmanuel Amuneke will also have to prove his mettle in the club.
Other matches on Sunday include Abia Warriors versus Remo Stars, Nasarawa United versus Shooting Stars, and Plateau United will host Katsina United.
Lobi Stars who are consistent performers will aim to secure an early win against Akwa United on Monday.
Akwa United struggled and escape relegation last season. But the team has re-energised their squad with new signings.
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