SGFC Athletics General Manager, Olawale Olatoye, has shared insights into how his team defied the odds to claim the 2025 Jagaban Cup title, Sports247 reports.
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Speaking exclusively to Sports247 in Lagos after SGFC’s dramatic penalty shootout 5-4 victory over 36 Lions, Olatoye revealed the challenges they faced and the strategies that led them to success.
Reflecting on their journey, Olatoye emphasized the importance of preparation and there are ready to confront the odds as they are aware of the high competitiveness of the Jagaban Cup.
“I would say preparation meets readiness. We were ready, and we were able to prepare well because we understood the level of this tournament. Every team that participates is competitive—there are no pushovers,” he said.
He further explained how SGFC Athletics leveraged its extensive scouting network to assemble a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
“The bedrock of every team is its scouting network. We focused heavily on scouting quality players, and this really helped us,” he added.
Olatoye also spoke about the team’s remarkable turnaround just weeks after a disappointing outing at the Evolution Cup in Abuja.
“Last month, we played in the Evolution Cup, and we didn’t perform well. We had to let some players go,” he admitted.
Determined to bounce back, the club embarked on an aggressive recruitment drive, scouting far and wide for fresh talent.
“In less than two weeks, we brought in a new group of players and successfully integrated our philosophy into them,” he revealed.
The secret to their success, according to Olatoye, lay in their focus on young, energetic players who were eager to prove themselves.
“We are focused on young talents—players with energy and the right mentality. That is what helped us,” he concluded.
The Jagaban Cup remains one of Nigeria’s most fiercely contested grassroots football competitions, attracting scouts from Europe eager to discover the next big stars.
SGFC Athletics’ triumph in the 2025 edition is a testament to their resilience, strategic planning, and commitment to nurturing young talent.
