Nigerian Football
Plan unveiled to honour Nigerian football legend, Teslim Balogun 50 years after death
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
A grand plan to mark the 50th anniversary of the passing on of Nigerian football legend, Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun was unveiled Wednesday afternoon at the secretariat of the Lagos branch of Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
Led by the chairman of the organizing committee, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, the group which also included the children of the late football icon announced that next July, it will be 50 years since ‘Thunder’ Balogun died.
Dr. Ladipo went on to chronicle the impact Balogun had in Nigerian football.
He remarked that Balogun bestrode the Nigerian and international football landscape like a colossus between the 1940s and the 1960s.
“As already well documented, he attained national stardom by playing and winning titles with such clubs as Jos and Lagos clubs – Apapa Bombers, UAC and Railways.
“He won the Challenge Cup with UAC, also known as ‘Broadstreet Millionaires’ in 1950 and the FA Cup with The Railways in 1951.
“Internationally, Thunder Balogun was included among 18 selected players to represent Nigeria in the United Kingdom.
“The team subsequently played nine matches against UK club sides. Six years later in 1955, Thunder Balogun returned to the UK to become the first Nigerian and African to play professional football in England by plying his trade with Peterborough United and Queens Park Rangers.
“He subsequently scored another first when he became the first African to qualify as a professional coach in England.
Continuing, Dr. Ladipo remarked that in 1958, Thunder Balogun, through the influence of the then Premier of the Western region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo returned home to become the Chief Coach of the old Western Region and help identify potential coaching talents.
The Teslim Balogun Stadium Complex in Surulere Local Government of Lagos State, so named after him by the Lagos State Government has helped to immortalise this great Nigerian, but more can and should still be done.
Born in March 1927, Thunder Balogun died in July 1972, thus by next year it would be 50 years of his demise. That is why his family, close associates and other interest groups believe it would be appropriate to celebrate the golden memorial in a week-long activity.
The organising committee then revealed the purpose of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the legend’s death.
“Firstly, to celebrate and eternally etch in the memory of Nigerians, the exploits of a footballing and coaching giant who left indelible footprints on the sands of Nigerian football.
“Secondly, to encourage past and present generation of footballers and coaches to continue to do their best for the Nation under the maxim: ‘If Tesim Thunder Balogun is not forgotten, you will not be forgotten’.
“Thirdly, to establish a foundation in the name of Teslim (Thunder Balogun) through which the welfare of footballers could be promoted.”
To fulfil the objectives, a week-long programme of activities are planned for Monday July 25 to Saturday July 30, 2022,
It was revealed that the activities will include an exhibition and documentary on the life, football and coaching adventures of Teslim Thunder Balogun.
That is expected to be declared open by the Nigeria Minister for Sports with the support of the officials of the Lagos State Sports Commission.
Public lectures on ‘Teslim Thunder Balogun is also in the package. A lecture with the theme “The man, his career and his impact” is expected to be given by Chief Adegboye Onigbinde a former two-time Nigeria national team coach.
While Dr. Ladipo will speak on a theme: ‘From thunder Balogun to the present generation: The role of Supporters club in the making of Nigerian Football’.
Some dignitaries expected at the lecture which will also incorporate the official launching of the Teslim Balogun Foundation as well as the unveiling of a book on the legend, include Lekan Adegbite, the Minister of Mines & Steel.
The book is being packaged by veteran sports journalist, Segun Adenuga who is perhaps one of the few living eyewitnesses of the playing days of Teslim Balogun.
Football matches are also planned as part of the week-long programme. These may include teams from Ghana playing against some top clubs in Nigeria.
According to Dr. Ladipo, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State is expected to be the Special Guest of Honour at the matches.
The chairman of the organising committee also called for support from as many stakeholders as possible including but not limited to the federal and state governments, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, the football authorities, investors in the sports and football sector, the private sector, philanthropists, you sports journalists and the entire Nigerian media.
Already, the minister of sports, Sunday Dare is the Grand Patron of the event while Nigerian football chieftain, Amaju Pinnick is the patron.
The minister of sports is represented in the organising committee by Mrs. Mbora Ikana while spokesman of the NFF is standing in for Amaju Pinnick.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has slammed Kano Pillars with a ₦9.5 million fine, a three-point deduction, and an indefinite ban from their home ground, Sani Abacha Stadium, following violent scenes during their Matchday 8 clash with Shooting Stars of Ibadan.
The latest punishment adds to Pillars’ growing record of disciplinary infractions. Since 2019, the club has paid over ₦36 million in fines related to crowd disturbances and violent conduct: ₦8m (June 2019), ₦2.5m (March 2022), ₦9m (April 2022), ₦2.25m (June 2022), ₦1m (October 2023), ₦12m (January 2024), and ₦2m (October 2024).
The disciplinary action, announced less than 24 hours after the incident, follows a pitch invasion in Kano that led to attacks on match officials and players of Shooting Stars, causing widespread condemnation.
Under the NPFL’s summary jurisdiction, the league deducted three points and three goals from Pillars’ accumulated tally for breaching Rule C1.1, which prohibits assault on match officials and opposing teams. The club will now play its home games at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina for the rest of the season.
In addition, the NPFL imposed a ₦9.5 million cumulative fine on the club for multiple breaches of league regulations:
- ₦1 million for failure to provide adequate security (Rule B13.52)
- ₦1 million for failing to control supporters who harassed the away team and officials (Rule C9)
- ₦1 million for objects thrown onto the pitch (Rule B13.18)
- ₦1 million for bringing the league into disrepute (Rule C1.1)
- ₦2 million for assault on the away team and officials
- ₦2 million as compensation to Shooting Stars players
- ₦1.5 million as restitution to assaulted match officials
In addition to the sanctions on Kano Pillars, the NPFL has written to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Match Officials Appointment Committee recommending a review and possible downgrade of five referees.
The affected officials include centre referee Mohammed B. Tuta (Adamawa), assistant referees Bem Japhet (Benue) and Shehu Isah (Adamawa) from the Pillars vs. Shooting Stars match, and centre referee Ikechukwu Taiwo (Rivers) along with assistant referee Usman Opeyemi Edward (Osun) from the Nasarawa United vs. Rangers fixture.
Davidson Owumi, the NPFL’s Chief Operating Officer, reaffirmed the league’s zero-tolerance policy for violence.
“We will invoke the rules wherever and whenever required to keep bad behaviour of fans, players, and officials out of the league,” he declared.
Kano Pillars have been given the right to appeal the sanctions, although failure to overturn the decision could lead to additional penalties.
The Sani Abacha Stadium will remain closed to fans for the remainder of the 2025 season.
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The management of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has condemned the violent scenes that followed Sunday’s Matchday 8 encounter between Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), describing the incident as disturbing and unacceptable.
In a statement signed by the league’s Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the NPFL said it had noted with concern the reports and viral video clips showing fans invading the pitch at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, shortly after the final whistle.
“We condemn in the strongest terms any act of violence, intimidation, or misconduct directed at players, match officials, or fans,” the statement read.
Owumi assured that the NPFL had already reached out to the Match Commissioner, Referees, and officials of Shooting Stars, confirming that their safety had been secured.
The league body stated that it is awaiting the official match reports and full video evidence from the Match Commissioner and Referees before taking disciplinary action but stressed that the incident would be treated with “utmost seriousness.”
“The NPFL is assuring all stakeholders and football lovers that this isolated incident is being handled decisively, and appropriate actions will follow upon review of the full reports,” Owumi said.
He reaffirmed the NPFL’s commitment to discipline, safety, and professionalism at all league venues nationwide, warning that violence of any kind will not be tolerated in the domestic league.
“We reaffirm our commitment to maintaining discipline, safety, and professionalism at all league venues across the country,” the statement concluded.
The Sunday incident in Kano has since sparked outrage among fans and officials, with many calling for stricter sanctions to deter future acts of hooliganism in Nigerian football.
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Former Super Eagles’ skipper and now Kano Pillars General Manager, Ahmed Musa, has tendered a public apology following the violent scenes that marred his club’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture against Shooting Stars Sports Club on Sunday evening.
In a heartfelt statement posted on his official X handle, the Super Eagles captain described the incident as “heartbreaking, shameful, and completely unacceptable,” stressing that it does not reflect the true values or proud history of Kano Pillars.
The scene after the Kano Pillars versus Shooting Stars match.
“What transpired against Shooting Stars is heartbreaking, shameful, and completely unacceptable. It does not represent the true values, identity, or proud history of Kano Pillars,” Musa wrote.
He expressed deep regret to Shooting Stars players, coaches, officials, match referees, NPFL board members, GTI partners, and football fans across the country who witnessed the ugly scenes, promising that those responsible would be brought to book.
“Violence has no place in football. It is unacceptable, unjustifiable, and goes against everything this beautiful sport stands for. Football is meant to unite, to inspire, to bring joy. When it turns into scenes of chaos and harm, we must not pretend it away — we must confront it head-on,” he stated.
Musa assured that Kano Pillars would work closely with relevant authorities to identify and punish those behind the riot, adding that the club would take firm internal measures to prevent a recurrence.
“We understand that apologies alone are not enough. Words must be followed by action. We will take huge steps internally to ensure that something like this never happens again,” he said.
Addressing the club’s supporters directly, Musa urged them to show their passion through respect and discipline rather than violence.
“True support is shown not through violence, but through respect, passion, and discipline. This must be a turning point for us,” he appealed.
The former Leicester City and Al Nassr forward concluded by taking full responsibility on behalf of the club and promising to restore trust and respect for Kano Pillars and Nigerian football.
“We take full responsibility and will do everything necessary to restore trust, respect, and the true spirit of football in Kano and across Nigeria,” he said.
The NPFL and its partners are expected to launch an investigation into the incident, with potential sanctions looming for Kano Pillars, whose fans were reportedly involved in violent conduct following the match against the Ibadan-based Shooting Stars.
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