OYO FA HAILS FLAMINGOS, OLYMPIC EAGLES, COMMENDS BALELE, OLOPADE

By Oluseyi Adedire
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Oyo State Football Association (OYSFA) under the chairmanship of HRM James Ọdẹníran has expressed sincere appreciation to the Government of Oyo State and Chairman of NFF Task Force on youth competitions, Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi alongside his member of the committee, Mr Bukola Olopade for their immense supports for the Nigeria U23 Olympic Eagles and Women U17 'Flamingos' on their record-breaking feat at the just concluded Under-17 Women’s World Cup in India.

The Flamingos clinched bronze at the U-17 World Cup after beating Germany in the third-place playoff in India on Sunday following a 3-3 draw.
Despite allowing Germany to fight back from 3-0 down, Nigeria emerged winners after a 3-2 victory in another nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
Also at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan last weekend, The Nigeria U23 Olympic Eagles overpowered Tanzania 2-0. The win sees the Salisu Yusuf led side claim a 3-1 aggregate victory over their opponent from East Africa after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Tanzania and have qualified to the next round of the U-23 AFCON Qualifier against Guinea next year.

While speaking to newsmen on Friday afternoon, HRM James Ọdẹníran commended and congratulated the president of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau. HRM Ọdẹníran described the feat achieved by the Flamingos as a sign of many good things to expect from the newly elected president. He also lauded the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, Chairman of NFF Task Force on youth competitions, Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi and his member of the committee, Mr Bukola Olopade, for thier cash rewards to the Olympic team.

"There is no better way to start a new tenure in office than this great achievement by our Flamingos, these girls have made us proud. The purpose of any U17 competitions is to discover, nurture and develop talents for senior national teams, I strongly believe this team has achieved that purpose and I can bodly say they are our future Falcons. They have represented the country well and we are proud of them."
"Not only that, in Ibadan after many years, the Olympic Eagles beat the Tanzania U23 to qualify for the next qualifier stage. This is a great success and achievement under our new NFF president, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau. It was indeed a weekend of positive results in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria and Mumbai, India".

Recall that Governor Seyi Makinde hosted the Nigeria U-23 boys to a dinner at the Government House where he handed over the sum of ten million naira to the players following their first leg result and has also redeemed his pledge shortly after the return leg win in Ibadan with another cash reward. In addition to the largesse bestowed on the Olympic team was the $20,000 fulfilled by the Chairman Task Force of National Teams, Alhaji Balele Kurfi for the victory over the two legs while a member of Task Force of National Team, Bukola Olopade also gave out five thousand dollars to the team.
Oba James Ọdẹníran, however, heaped plaudits on Governor Seyi Makinde, Alhaji Balele Kurfi and Olapade for thier commitment, drive and tremendous supports to team.

"We are very appreciative of the huge supports of Governor Engr Seyi Makinde, Alhaji Balele Kurfi and Mr Bukola Olopade and indeed, other sports-loving individuals in Nigeria who have given supports one way or the other. Motivation is very key and paramount in football, it is a sign to encourage players and serves as morale booster, this has really helped our teams over the weekend and we sincerely appreciate thier financial rewards. The Alakinyele of Akinyele concluded.