Former Stationery Stores FC of Lagos star, Monsuru Owolabi Shobayo has reflected on the successful organisation of the maiden Ex-internationals Cup in Lagos, and declared that the competition will aid the revival of Nigeria’s football fortunes.
Read Also: Henry Nwosu FC Triumphs in Ex-International Cup 2024
Speaking against the backdrop of Sunday’s final at Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Shobayo, who is now a players’ agent based in Brazil, enthused that having all hands on deck in the event portends better things ahead of the round leather game.
He described it as a win-win platform for young players, ex-internationals, organisers, administrators and all lovers of football, adding that it is a very laudable innovation.
The former battling midfielder also disclosed that he enjoyed every minute of Sunday’s final, which saw Henry Nwosu FC defeat Friday Ekpo FC via penalties, and he enthused that the next edition will be better.
Shobayo retorted, “I am very happy because of what is happening at Onikan, Mobolaji Johnson Arena, with this final of ex-internationals youth competition.
“Next year is going to be better than this, because we are trying to encourage youths in football.”
Shobayo went on to expatiate what the competition offers young players towards bettering their football careers at home and abroad.
He stated, “We have a lot of talents in Nigeria, and we are trying to support them so that they can go to Europe, South America, or whatever.
“We want to help them get their future better. That’s what we are doing. We are not collecting anything from anybody.
“Even the ex-internationals are getting something, because we are trying to make them comfortable.”
The fair-skinned former player concluded with his vision of the impact the competition will have on Nigeria’s international football results.
“Football in Nigeria is going down, and we want to make it come up again; so that we can win the World Cup, Nations Cup and Olympics gold.
“We are working hard with NFF and all stakeholders. We want everyone to work together in one unit. That’s why we organised this competition,” Shobayo explained.
He ended by giving plaudits to the chairman of Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), Hajji Gafar Olawale Liameed for playing a leading role in the organisation of the competition and for making all the logistics work successfully.
