Nigeria played a goalless draw against defending champion, Libya in opening match of the African Minifootball Nations Cup played at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resorts, Akanran, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Also, in the second match of the tournament, Egypt defeated Libya 3-1 to top their group.
This is the second edition of the tournament where 10 countries will be participating.
The ceremony had in attendance Oyo State Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan as the guest of Honour and other football bosses across Africa.
Speaking, President, African Minifootball Confederation and World Minifootball Federation, Achraf Ben Salha said the dream is reality hosting the tournament here in Nigeria.
He said the facility provided by Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resorts is the best in the world saying he’s to be associated with Nigeria.
He disclosed that “I’m happy this tournament begin after postponement of the tournament last year due to Corona virus ravaging the world last year.
“With what is on ground now, Ilaji Sports Resorts can host the world because I’m really proud to be associated with Ilaji boss, Engineer Dotun Sanusi.”
National President, Nigeria Minifootball Association, Honourable Oluyemi Taiwo said he’s optimistic that the competition will produce talented footballer at the end of the tournament.
He said “Bringing together the most talented and gifted amateur footballers for this continental tournament is tremendously exciting and this country is very proud to be associated with it.
As a stepping stone to the professional international football games, this tournament provides a wonderful opportunity for the footballers and coaches who gather here in Nigeria for this tournament. There is no better experience for young sportsmen than being selected to represent their countries in an event of this stature, importance and magnitude.
“This event serves as a valuable platform for grooming rising young talents for higher honours. The players and coaches in this tournament have the opportunity and chance to be the stars of the future. That’s a fabulous opportunity.
“This is the second edition of the tournament. The first edition took place in Libya in the year 2018.
This second edition was supposed to have been held here in Nigeria in the year 2020 but it could not hold due to the ravaging Corona virus pandemic.
We thank God that the world and indeed Nigerian government is now gradually gaining solid control over the ravaging pandemic.
“There has been significant improvements on the last edition of this tournament. In this edition,” he said.
Also, Chief Executive Officer, Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resorts, Engineer Dotun Sanusi said opening ceremony of African Minifootball Nations Cup is a great milestone in the milestone for them as a corporate organisation saying what they envisioned a couple of years ago is gradually coming to reality.
He said they have taken conscious efforts to ensure that all the facilities that both the players and the officials will need are on ground, hence they excited to see this competition commence today.
He said “With all sense of modesty, this evening and in this Stadium, we have staked a claim as one of the foremost hospitality and sporting outfits in Africa and I want to say here without mincing words that this is just the beginning. We are hosting African Nations today and we are determined to host the World in no distant future.
“Our journey into strategic sporting alliances began with our partnership with SWIEQI United FC of Malta and not long after, we were able to secure the franchise of Malaga CF of Spain; this partnership with Malaga CF has given birth to Malaga CF Nigeria Academy. I am happy to tell you that we have players from Manchester in United Kingdom and Dakar, Senegal that have enrolled in our Academy and they along with about a hundred academy players are residing in this Resort.
“Less than 6 months ago, precisely last December, we hosted a world title fight between a Nigerian, Ridwan Scorpion and Lucas Matias Montesino, an Argentine. Also Malaga CF Academy Coach, Marcos Antonio and a football agent from Portugal were here for about a week for a coaching and football Clinic. Therefore, hosting international competitions is more or less a regular exercise for us here at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort.
Mutiu Adepoju said he’s happy to be ambassador of the tournament saying football is unifying factor in the world not only in Africa.
