Nigerian Football
A Man Nigeria Should Not Have Forgotten
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
This Thursday marks the 38th anniversary of Nigeria’s first victory in the Africa Cup of Nations. Perhaps it was divinely designed as an eternal tribute to this great, yet largely unknown man, that Nigeria won its first Africa Cup of Nations on this particular date, March 22 in 1980.
His name rings no bell. He is largely forgotten and never mentioned in the discourse of organised football in Nigeria. Perhaps such history makers were born to pass unnoticed.
Going through the official history of the of the world’s oldest football association, The Football Association Limited, England, there was a similar scenario.
The FA admitted that one Ebenezer Cobb Morley’s initiative gave birth to it. In the official history of the world’s oldest football association, it was written that despite Morley’s initiative, he is only given passing reference in football literature.
Such is also the fate of Joseph Mead in Nigeria. Most people, even the older football followers may not have come across the name of this man. It is because of him, that there is a football governing body that was called the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) which is today’s Nigeria Football Federation, NFF. He called for the meeting that led to the formation of the NFA.
Perhaps without his initiatives, we will not be talking of the Nigeria Football Federation or its lead brand, Super Eagles which will clock 70 next year August. The first national team of Nigeria, the famed “UK Tourists” sailed out of Apapa Port on August 16, 1949. That was when the story of what is popularly called the Super Eagles began.
As a prelude to the ongoing discourse, most people may not know the fallacy of the NFF claim that it was founded in 1945. Yet the federation has neither proof to back the claim nor evidence of the actual date it believed it was founded.
- Skipper Christian Chukwu lifting the Africa Cup of Nations on March 22, 1980. It turned to be a lasting birthday tribute to the NFA’s first Secretary who could have turned 73 on that day.
Existing evidences contradict the “Founded 1945” that the NFF logo carries. Documented evidences exist at the National Archives of Nigeria in Ibadan and The FA in England where the then NFA was first affiliated, that the football governing body was founded on August 21, 1933.
Establishing the Nigerian football governing body was not an easy task. The bulk of the credit went to Joseph Mead, the unsung father of the now NFF. He was the organising secretary of the group that founded the then NFA.
Daily Times account revealed he worked with the firm, UAC at Martins Street, Lagos. He called up the inaugural meeting and later emerged as the first secretary of the Nigerian football governing body.
According to the Daily Times account on the foundation of the NFA in 1933, Mead was elected as secretary. The man at the helms was Henry A. Porter, an architect with the Public Works Department.
Porter went by the title, President. There were three vice presidents – Frederick Baron Mulford, Dr. Isaac Ladipo Oluwole and Sir. Adeyemo Alakija.
Mead’s identity was a mystery until the Unilever Archives in London, responding to enquiries by Sports Village Square, provided photograph of him and his full name.
The meaning of the initial “J” which appeared in all Nigerian newspapers references to him was later given as Joseph.
According to the Daily Times accounts, he worked with the firm – UAC at Martins Street, Lagos. Checks at Unilever in UK revealed that he joined the company in February 1929.
- Joseph Mead, sitting with the ball, was a member of the UAC team in the European League in Lagos. He was the first Secretary of NFA.This 1936 picture is published courtesy Unilever UK.
Great thanks to Helen Onsworth, the archivist at Unilever UK Central Resources Limited who assisted in unveiling the convener of the meeting that led to the foundation of a central football body in Nigeria.
From the information on Mead, he became the first secretary of the NFA at age 26. On leaving Nigeria after working with UAC in Lagos and Ibadan, he was transferred to the then Gold Coast (now Ghana) where he worked in Kumasi and Takoradi.
According to information from Unilever in UK, Mead married on January 23, 1939 before resigning from the firm in 1949.
Checks at the National Archives of the United Kingdom revealed that Mead must have arrived Nigeria in 1929 having left Liverpool for Lagos on February 26.
His occupation in the manifest of the ship was given as “assistant”. He was part of the European football league in Lagos, playing for UAC team.
Shortly before the August 21, 1933 meeting which Mead called, he was involved in an accident. Unilever Archives disclosed that their records showed his date of birth as March 22, 1907.
He would therefore have been 73 years; the day Nigeria beat Algeria to win the Africa Nations Cup for the first time in 1980. It could not be verified if he were alive at the time.
According to information from Unilever UK, Joseph Mead left for Nigeria Sekondi-Takoradi in Gold Coast (now Ghana) as District Manager of UAC in March 1946.
Today he would have been 110. Tracing the man Joseph Mead was not an easy task. But great thanks to Unilever UK which maintains an archive of virtually everyone that passed through its system.
It is Mead that one is celebrating today. It should be remembered that he was not the only pioneer. There was Henry A. Porter, the pioneer president and a senior architect with the then PWD (possibly the present day Federal Ministry of Works and Housing).
A fellow of Royal Institute of British Architects, Porter designed the Centenary Hall, Ake, Abeokuta. He was also the founder of the Lagos Amateur Football Association in 1930.
There was also Dr Isaac Ladipo Oluwole (died May 4, 1953), Sir Adeyemo Alakija (died May 10, 1952), and Frederick Baron Mulford (an expatriate popularly called ‘Baba Eko’).
Mulford was buried in Lagos at the Ikoyi Cemetery on September 4, 1949, the day after his death at Creek Hospital. According to a tribute by Ernest Ikoli published in the Daily Times edition of September 5, 1949, Mulford was never married.
They have all passed on, but there contributions towards the formation of a central football organisation should be well acknowledged.
The FA in England in 2012 decided to trace and honour the living descendants of the eight founding fathers that created the body 150 years earlier.
A total of 16 relatives of the Founding Fathers of football were invited to a special ceremony at Wembley Stadium, where a Blue Plaque was unveiled that pays tribute to the historical significance of their work in creating the game of football. What a lasting tribute those pioneers got.
Here in Nigeria, the labour of our heroes past must not be in vain. I salute the winning Nigerian team of 1980. Tributes are also given to Joseph Mead.
By Kunle Solaja.
Nigeria’s planned participation in a four-nation invitational tournament later this month is facing serious uncertainty after a significant escalation in Middle Eastern tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to compete in Amman, Jordan, from March 27 to 31, alongside Iran, Jordan and Costa Rica, as part of preparations for future competitive fixtures and squad building. But recent geopolitical developments have cast doubt over whether the event can still go ahead as planned.
An official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed to Sports Village Square that the situation is being closely monitored, with security and travel concerns emerging as key factors in deciding the tournament’s fate.
The doubts stem from joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which triggered a sharp escalation in hostilities and sparked retaliatory actions across the region, including reports of attacks and counter-attacks in neighbouring countries.
The unfolding crisis has already led to airspace closures, flight cancellations and broader travel disruptions in the Gulf and Levant, complicating international travel plans for teams and supporters alike.
The Super Eagles had planned to open the tournament against Iran on March 27 at the Amman International Stadium before facing hosts Jordan four days later. However, Iran’s participation itself is now in question as the security situation deepens and Iranian football authorities weigh their options amid the conflict.
The tournament was seen as a valuable opportunity for head coach Eric Chelle to assess his squad in a competitive setting before the next major competitions, which include the 2027 Afcon qualifiers.
Jordan, who will make their own debut at the 2026 World Cup, was using the event to build momentum on home soil, but the escalating crisis places not just Nigeria’s fixtures at risk, but the entire mini-tournament.
The NFF has not yet announced an alternative plan should the tournament be cancelled or postponed.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Matchday drama unfolded across centres in the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL) as title contenders stumbled, traditional powerhouses flexed their muscles, and the race for continental places tightened significantly.
Rivers United’s grip at the top suffered a dent after a shock 1–0 defeat to Bayelsa United in a tense South-South derby. The slim victory handed Bayelsa a crucial three points while slowing Rivers’ momentum at a critical stage of the season.
The biggest statement of the weekend came from Bendel Insurance, who dismantled Ikorodu City 4–0 in a ruthless display. Insurance were clinical from start to finish, overpowering their visitors and boosting both their goal difference and their standing in the upper half of the table. For Ikorodu City, who had been firmly in the mix near the summit, the heavy loss could prove costly in the long run.
Enugu Rangers also strengthened their position with a composed 2–0 victory over Nasarawa United. The Flying Antelopes controlled proceedings and capitalised on their chances, ensuring maximum points against a direct rival in the race for honours. With Rivers United dropping points, Rangers’ win significantly narrows the gap at the top.
In Aba, Enyimba were held to a 1–1 draw by Kun Khalifat in a fiercely contested encounter. The People’s Elephant had to settle for a point despite home advantage, a result that may affect their ambitions of climbing into the continental qualification spots.
Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves played out a goalless draw in a tightly fought affair where defences dominated, and clear chances were scarce.
Remo Stars continued their battle against relegation with a 2–0 triumph over Katsina United in Ikenne.
Remo Stars begin redemption course with a 2-0 defeat of Katsina United
Ibadan, Shooting Stars delighted their supporters with a spirited 2–1 victory over Kano Pillars. The Oluyole Warriors demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline to edge the encounter, keeping their push for a higher finish on track.
Sunday Results
- Bayelsa United 1-0 Rivers United
- Bendel Insurance 4-0 Ikorodu City
- Enugu Rangers 2-0 Nasarawa United
- Enyimba 1-1 Kun Khalifat
- Niger Tornadoes 0-0 Warri Wolves
- Remo Stars 2-0 Katsina United
- Shooting Stars 2-1 Kano Pillars
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
The race for promotion in the 2025/2026 season of the Nigeria National League (NNL) has gathered momentum, with relegated sides Akwa United and Doma United pushing strongly for an immediate return to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Both former top-flight campaigners have shown resilience since dropping to the second tier last season. Akwa United currently lead Conference B with a game in hand, underlining their determination to bounce back at the first attempt. Meanwhile, Doma United sit atop Conference C despite suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Sokoto United on Matchday 11.
Southern Conference Delivers Drama
Matchday 11 in the Southern Conference produced thrilling encounters, further tightening the race for promotion.
In Conference A, two away wins, one home victory and a draw defined the round. The headline fixture between table-toppers Inter-Lagos FC and second-placed Beyond Limit FC ended in a goalless stalemate in Abeokuta. The result ensured Inter-Lagos maintained their grip on first place, though Beyond Limit remain firmly in contention.
Elsewhere, Smart City edged Edel FC 1-0, Gateway United secured a similar 1-0 win over Crown FC, while Sunshine Stars boosted their campaign with a convincing 2-0 triumph over Abia Comets. The victories have intensified the competition in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely fought groups in the league.
Conference B: Akwa United Hold Firm
Conference B continues to heat up as teams battle for supremacy. Osun United claimed a crucial 1-0 away victory at Abakaliki FC, while Rovers FC defeated Stormers 1-0 in Calabar.
Despite the pressure from chasing teams, Akwa United remain firmly in control at the summit. With a game in hand, the Promise Keepers are well-positioned to strengthen their promotion bid in the coming weeks.
Conference C: Doma United Stay Ahead
In Conference C, Sokoto United handed leaders Doma United a 1-0 setback, but the defeat did little to dislodge them from the top. Doma remain on 19 points, narrowly ahead of FC Basira, who climbed to 18 points after a 2-0 win over Lobi Stars.
The slim margin between the top sides suggests a tense battle ahead, with every point likely to prove decisive in the quest for a top-two finish.
Conference D: Northern Battle Intensifies
Yobe Desert Stars moved temporarily to the summit of Conference D with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Ranchers Bees, taking their tally to 15 points. Jigawa Golden Stars edged Adamawa United 1-0, while Gombe United and Kebbi United settled for a goalless draw.
Promotion Race Wide Open
With each conference producing unpredictable outcomes, the NNL promotion race remains delicately poised. For traditional heavyweights Akwa United and Doma United, the objective is clear: secure one of the coveted promotion spots and return to the Nigeria Elite League.
As the season progresses, the intensity is expected to rise further, with fans across the country watching closely to see which clubs will earn the right to rejoin Nigeria’s top-flight next season.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- WAFCON4 days ago
BREAKING: CAF Postpones WAFCON 2026
- OBITUARY5 days ago
Nigerian Sports Journalism Mourns Oyeniyi Oyeleke and Tonex Chukwu
- MLS1 week ago
Trump to Host Lionel Messi and Inter Miami at the White House
- World Cup5 days ago
‘I really don’t care’ if Iran plays in World Cup, Trump tells Politico
- World Cup4 days ago
Iraq’s World Cup Playoff in Doubt as War Disrupts Travel and Visa Processing
- FA Cup2 days ago
Eze thunderbolt guides Arsenal past Mansfield into FA Cup quarter-finals
- MLS3 days ago
Trump celebrates Messi
- World Cup3 days ago
World Cup 2026: U-20 World Cup Winner Ouahbi Takes Charge of Morocco’s Atlas Lions