By Kunle Solaja.

Seventeen years after the death of Haruna Ilerika, the diminutive, left-footed wizard who lit up Nigerian football in the 1970s, his legacy continues to resonate — and today’s date underscores that bond even more powerfully.

December 4 not only marks the anniversary of Ilerika’s death; it is also the anniversary of the opening of the National Stadium, Lagos — an arena whose maiden match he helped illuminate in 1972.

As Nigeria faced Mali that day, a young Ilerika stepped onto the turf of the brand-new stadium, unaware that the moment would become a defining chapter in both his career and the arena’s history. Today, he and several others who featured in that opening fixture — captain Godwin Achebe, later-day skipper Victor Oduah, first scorer Yakubu Mambo, Sunday Oyarekhua and more — have all passed on, leaving behind a fading but cherished era of Nigerian football brilliance.

Football historians often point out the striking parallels between Ilerika and the iconic Tesilimi “Thunder” Balogun.
Ilerika was born in 1949 — the exact year Balogun made his international debut for Nigeria.
And in 1972, the year Balogun died, Ilerika in turn made his own national team debut.

Two footballing eras, linked almost poetically. Long before capturing the hearts of Nigerian fans, Ilerika was already a sensation at Zumrattul Islammiyah Grammar School. Together with fellow small-statured talent Tajudeen Ajagun, they earned the title of “terrible twins” in the Lagos Principals’ Cup — a partnership that terrorised defences and drew crowds across the city.

His club career began modestly at Patterson Zachonis (PZ) FC, before he moved to Metal Construction FC and later to Stationery Stores. By March 1971, the creative schemer had earned his place in the star-studded Stores lineup, quickly becoming one of their most admired players.

Despite his frame, Ilerika was a giant of technique. His game blended quick thinking, swift movement, close ball control and trademark body-swerves that left opponents helpless. Fans often described him not just as a footballer, but as a one-man performance act — an artist with the ball at his feet.

His talent translated seamlessly to the national stage. After an impressive debut against Mali on November 22, 1972, he went on to earn 30 caps for Nigeria, with his final appearance coming in a goalless draw against Sierra Leone in 1976.

Ilerika was central to Nigeria’s triumph in the 1973 All-Africa Games in Lagos, where his bustling pace and creativity helped the country secure gold.

One of his most memorable international performances came three years later at the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations in Ethiopia, where he scored two crucial equalisers against Egypt. His grace on the pitch even won admirers off it — one Ethiopian fan famously handed him her necklace as the Nigerian team boarded their bus after the match.

His brilliance earned him a spot in a special CAF Afro-Latin America squad in 1973, coached by Ghana’s Charles Kofi Gyamfi and Algeria’s Rachid Mekhloufi — a rare honour for a Nigerian footballer of that era.

A Legacy Forever Linked With Lagos Stadium

As the National Stadium, Lagos, marks yet another anniversary, memories of the players who helped christen its turf return to the spotlight. Among them, Haruna Ilerika remains one of the most unforgettable — a diminutive maestro who played bigger than his size, thrilled crowds with artistry, and etched his name into the soul of Nigerian football.

Seventeen years after his passing, the echoes of his genius still linger — a reminder that true legends never really leave; they simply keep playing.

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The 2025 HerGame Girls Football Championship began in Abuja on Saturday with a bold announcement from founder and sole sponsor, Dr. Pat Ajuma Ayegba, who revealed plans to expand the fast-growing grassroots platform into a nationwide tournament by 2026.

The week-long championship, taking place from November 29 to December 6 at the Area 3 Sports Complex, features 16 teams in a fully funded environment that provides free registration, jerseys, training bibs, and logistics — a rare model in Nigerian grassroots sports.

Ayegba, an FCT FA board member and head of the FA’s Women’s Committee, said the initiative was conceived to break long-standing barriers that limit access and opportunity for young girls in football.

“We are breaking ceilings for the girl child. For too long, talent has been wasted simply because opportunity never arrived. HerGame is that opportunity, a platform that says to every girl, no matter where you come from, your dreams are valid,” she said.

Initially created as an FCT-only competition, HerGame expanded this year to cover the entire North Central zone. Ayegba confirmed that increasing interest from other regions has accelerated plans to take the tournament nationwide next year.

She emphasized that HerGame continues to attract players from underserved communities, giving them visibility and opportunities previously out of reach.

“It gives me joy to see a girl from a remote village standing on this field with the same confidence as someone from an elite academy. Football has the power to equalize. This is not just a tournament; it is a platform to showcase potential, build confidence, and help girls rewrite their stories,” she added.

The programme’s impact is already measurable. Over 85% of participants from the 2024 edition now feature in structured leagues, and several have gone on to become junior internationals — including one who represented Nigeria at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Last year’s MVP, Queen Joseph, was Nigeria’s top scorer at the Morocco 2025 U-17 Women’s World Cup and has returned this year to mentor younger players.

Ayegba reaffirmed her long-term ambition of making HerGame a key feeder system for Nigeria’s senior women’s national team.

“My dream is that one day, the Super Falcons will have at least 10 girls who started their journey here. And trust me, that day is coming,” she declared.

Co-Head of the Organising Committee and women’s football advocate, Moses Nagogo Bako, said the championship’s growing reputation comes from its integrity, age-verification process, and consistent talent output.

He commended Ayegba’s full sponsorship model, noting that it covers all kits, bibs, balls, and logistics — something he described as “almost unheard of” in grassroots development.

“The age alignment, the transparency, the raw talent, everything is right. We are certain more national team players will emerge from this year’s edition,” he said.

“What she is doing here is beyond sports. She is building futures. She deserves national recognition.”

Captain of defending champions Fosla Academy, Janet Bawa-Shukaga, also reflected on the significance of the competition as she led her team into another title defence.

“Being defending champions is an honour, and we came prepared to defend our title. This tournament is a huge opportunity for the girl child. My own teammate was selected from here to represent Nigeria at the World Cup. This competition is opening doors for many of us,” she said.

With the 2025 edition now underway and expansion plans gathering momentum, the HerGame Girls Championship continues its rise as one of Nigeria’s most influential talent-discovery platforms for young female footballers.

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The 2025 HerGame Girls Football Championship began in lively fashion on Saturday at the Area 3 Sports Complex, Abuja, with defending champions Fosla Academy grinding out a 2–1 win over Horvel Prime in the opening fixture.

Fosla Academy is an institution run by former NFF President, Sani Lulu Abdullahi.

The HerGame Girls Football Championship, a grassroots tournament, runs from November 29 to December 6. It produced goals and drama on its first day.

Generation Next delivered the standout performance, overpowering Emirates Queens 5–0 to record the biggest win of Matchday One.

SIK Paragon and BIA Ladies also opened their campaigns with narrow but important victories. SIK Paragon edged Jeremiah Angels, while BIA Ladies defeated Gwagwalada Ladies to cap an eventful start to the competition.

Although 24 teams initially registered for the championship, 16 eventually met the participation requirements and were divided into four groups. With only the top two teams from each pool advancing to the quarterfinals, every match in the group phase is expected to be fiercely contested.

Matchday Two on Sunday promises another exciting slate of eight fixtures as teams look to consolidate early form or bounce back from opening-day setbacks.

Emirates Queens will seek redemption when they face Nasarawa Shooting Stars, while dominant Generation Next return against Talent Developer. In Group B, M Squared and SIK Paragon clash in what could be a defining encounter.

Fosla Academy will also return to action in the afternoon, taking on Ladi Kwali as they continue their quest to defend their crown. The day’s final match will see Horvel Angels battle EUPA Angels.

With strong competition already emerging across the groups, the 2025 HerGame Girls Championship is shaping up to be one of the most competitive editions yet.

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