Lagos Street Soccer: Players Talk Tough, Express Readiness To Win Laurels—-Teams and players participating in the ongoing Lagos State Street Soccer at Obele Oniwala mini stadium, Lawanson, Lagos, have expressed excitement and readiness to win laurels.
Some of the players who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, exuded confidence, saying they were ready to compete for honours in the 16 week-long competition.
In one of the opening games in the female category, Lagos Mainland based Wazbak defeated their opponent Middlewell from Lagos Island 2-1.
Also, Dolphin High School defeated Kings College 2-0 in the U-15 match.
In the men’s game, Ayo Davis Street, Surulere lost to BogunBolu FC Street FC also by the same margin, 2-0.
One of the players, from Dolphin High School, Daniel Olalere, told NAN that his team was ready to win the overall prize at the tournament.
“I have been training for the competition since it was announced, myself and the team are well prepared and we are ready.
“I have been playing street 4-aside on our street before now and I have participated in street sets before. I believe my team is up to task,” he said.
Another player, Taofeek Raheem from Gbongboti Street, Surulere was optimistic about his team’s chances of winning the competition.
“Street soccer coming to Surulere is a great one. We have upcoming and fantastic players on our street who are ready to do the job.
“Before this time, we have been playing different sets and contribute money for competitions, now that we have it as a competition, we are going to have a different approach,” he said.
For Nurudeen Okoya, losing the first match against Bogunbolu FC was an eye opener.
“It is a great honour to be part of this edition of Lagos Street Soccer because we have been expecting it and training hard; we are happy about the eventual kick off.
“Team Obele is expected to go far in this competition because we have had our exhibition match to kick off the tournament, though we lost, we are expected to go far,” he said.
NAN reports that the event was witnessed by Chairmen of some Local Government Areas across Lagos State, including Commissioner fir Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunleke.
The Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, Fuad Oki, was also present at the occasion.
While speaking at the event, Ogunleke lauded the organisers for putting up a colourful show.
He advised Lagos youths to step out of their comfort zones rather than wait for white collar jobs.
In the same vein, the Chairman of the Lagos Street Soccer Championship Committee, Bolaji Yusuf, expressed his satisfaction with the turnout.
