Friendlies: AFA Football Academy appreciates stakeholders, as team returns to base

After playing three friendly matches during their recent tour of Ilorin, AFA Football Academy has appreciated clubs and all football fraternities in the state, for supporting the Lafiagi-based Academy throughout their visit.

The Academy played Kwara Football Academy (KFA), Kwara United Football Club and Abubakar Bukola Sàràkí (ABS) Football Club of Ilorin, between Friday August 15 and Sunday August 17, 2025, all at the State Stadium Complex, Ilorin.

They lost 2-1 to KFA, played out a one-all draw against the U19 team of Kwara United, and defeated ABS Football Club 4-3, to round off the tour which was also a solidarity campaign against the insecurity in the Northern part of the state.

The players and officials of the Academy wore solidarity bands in the matches, because of the security challenges in Kwara North. The bid was to show solidarity with the victims of the challenges.

The Director of the Academy, Dr. Manzuma Mohammed Ndanusa commended the Kwara State Football Association, Kwara Football Academy, Kwara United, ABS FC, Kwara State Referees Council and other stakeholders, for their support and understanding.

Also, ahead of the game against Kwara United, a certified CAF-Licensed Coach Educator, Coach Yusuf Salihu, lectured the players on career path and discipline.

He opened the session with a brief lecture on time-management, where he took them through the rudiments of the four quadrant of time-management, as aspiring professional footballers. He emphasized how that would enhance their career advancement.

Then came the main theme of the session, which is discipline. He broke the concept of the discipline into – on-the-pitch and off-the-pitch. He equally explained to the players how on-pitch and off-pitch are being rewarded at the levels of CAF and FIFA, through Fair Play Award.

Coach Yusuf also emphasised the importance of good conducts, by way of respect towards officials, which comprises the organisers, officiating officials, teams officials, and even, fans.

AFA Football Academy was launched in February, as a football talent nurturing outfit, with dedication to cultivating local football talent and nurturing young individuals in their pursuit of professional aspirations, especially from the state.

The vision behind the initiative was to create a career pathway for the talented youths, especially in Lafiagi and it’s environs, to give back to the society and to check social vices.

The Head Coach of AFA Football Academy Coach Mansur Kolawole Oladodo expressed delight with the overall outcome of the matches, adding that the team responded positively by scoring in all the matches.