France based former striker, Wasiu Afolabi on Sunday pulled off a massive reunion of his colleagues and play group mates, as they took part in a highly exciting exhibition match at Islamic Football Field in Ikotun area of Lagos.
Sports247 reports that Afolabi, who is fondly called ‘Baba Ibeji’ by his fans and associates, used the opportunity to bring together many of his childhood pals from various areas of Lagos metropolis and some neighbouring communities in Ogun State.
Eventually, the large array of former players that turned up for the encounter had to be divided into two squads, representing Islamic All Stars and Friends United, who battled in a hilarious yet pulsating exhibition game on the astro turf surface of the refurbished arena that is now managed by Seamoriow Football Academy, Ikotun.
The main attraction in the encounter turned out to be a former Malaysia-based midfield dazzler, Abiodun Olateju, who replicated semblances of the velvety skills that once made him a vastly popular jewel at the previously dusty ground that produced the like of former home-based Eagles’ goalkeeper, Femi Thomas as well as ex-Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles’ captain, Ramon Azeez, who also played for Nigeria at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Memories were rekindled about the good old days of grassroots football at Islamic Field and everyone present, including an array of young women and children, heaped praises on ‘Weseh’ for making the highly successful reunion of old time friends possible.
Although he could not complete the first half due to fitness issues and his side was already 3-0 down before the break, Afolabi was beaming with excitement all through the evening, as he declared that his intention in organising the match had been realised and he is already setting his mind on staging something bigger during the Christmas season.
“I am happy that we have organised this match successfully. I am happy with the atmosphere and the turnout. Some of my friends came from Otta, Surulere, Ijanikin and other far places. We all had fun together and shared many memories.
I am already thinking of doing something bigger in December. At that time, we’ll be able to organise home-based versus foreign-pros,” Afolabi projected.
The former striker with a bullet shot, who did not play club football in Nigeria before travelling abroad, but won bronze during Nathaniel Idowu Cup in 2001 at Lagos National Stadium and 2002 Obasanjo Cup at Bells College, Otta, Ogun State with National Grassroots Dream Team, also thanked all football fans that turned up to witness Sunday’s game at Islamic Field.
