The Ex-International Cup, organized by the Lagos State Football Association, kicked off with an exciting match between FC Ugbade and FC Nieketein.
The game, which ended 3-0 in favor of FC Ugbade, was a keenly contested affair with ex-Nigeria Internationals playing the roles of Coach-mentors from the sidelines.
Peter Nieketien, an ex-Nigeria international and the current FA chairman of the Ajeromi Fellow Sports Council, led FC Nieketein. Despite the loss, Nieketien remained optimistic about his team’s performance and their chances in the second leg. In a post-match interview with Sports247, he praised his team’s effort and the exceptional performance of FC Ugbade’s goalkeeper.
“Football, you win, you lose and you draw. The only thing we don’t encourage is losing much. The boys tried their best. If we look at the play, the result of today’s game does not necessarily reflect the way the game was played. My team played better, but we lost the game,” Nieketien said.
Nieketien, who is also the technical director of the Ajegunle United Sporting Club, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to turn the result around in the second leg. “Ajegunle is known for football and I have never carried any team out for a tournament and go out in the first round. So definitely it is going to be a very interesting match in the second leg,” he added.
The Ex-International Cup is a unique concept that brings together teams coached by ex-Nigeria Internationals. It provides an opportunity for these seasoned professionals to mentor young talents and give back to the community. Nieketien praised the concept, saying, “It’s a very fantastic idea… It’s a very perfect concept and it is very timely.”
Nieketien also highlighted the abundance of football talent in Nigeria. He mentioned that he runs scouting programs in Ajegunle, which have helped about eleven or twelve players leave the shores of the country since December. “We are giving back to the community because it is the community that gave us the platform to be who we are now. So we’re giving back to the community. We are creating opportunities for the players to get a football career out of their ambitions,” he said.
As the Ex-International Football Championship continues, all eyes will be on the second leg of the opening match. With the likes of Nieketien at the helm, the tournament promises to be a showcase of not just football talent, but also the enduring spirit of mentorship and community that defines Nigerian football.
