Italy-Based Former Midfielder Thanks Participants At His Youth Competition

The Italy-based former midfielder, Friday Ebeye (King) has sent a message of gratitude to all clubs participating in the maiden edition of a youth football competition he is sponsoring back home in Lagos, Nigeria alongside his younger brother, Timothy, and their childhood friend, David Opeyemi (aka Shola Garber).

The competition, which is officially known as FRITISH Football Championship, will come to what is expected to be a pulsating climax this Saturday, May 1st, at the open ground that lies close to the headquarters of Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Church, off Ijesha Bus Stop, along Oshodi-Mile 2Expressway, and the older Ebeye is reeling out applause for those who made it possible.

His message of gratitude acknowledged the roles played by all the players, coaches, officials, fans, journalists, referees, organizers, and other stakeholders in ensuring that his dream and that of his co-sponsors has become a successful reality, which he says deserves a round of applause.

He added that the competition’s progress so far has encouraged them to start thinking about the possibility of extending their sponsorship beyond what has become known unofficially as FRITISH Cup 2021, such that a follow-up edition is already shaping their thoughts.

The former dazzler at National Grassroots Dream Team in Surulere area of Lagos, who is also fondly called ‘Ijapa’ by his close associates, also thanked ‘Coach Yellow’ for aiding his progress through the backstreets in the environs of Ijeshatedo, where he, his younger brother, Timothy, and Opeyemi feel duty-bound to put something back into the community that produced them.

It was on the same pitch hosting the competition that he made his marks with Mighty Starlet and Mighty Rovers, before lining out with Young Stars FC of Satellite Town and, after starring for clubs in Italy and Eastern Europe, he is now working at a cosmetics firm in The Land of The Azzurri.

After stepping beyond the borders of Nigeria, he first played for FK Mogren of Montenegro, then moved on to ply his trade with FK Borac Cacak and Andria Bat of Serbia as well as AC Mantova Calcio and US Tolentino Calcio of Italy among many others, in an itinerary that included several modest teams in the lower divisions and regional leagues across the Italian peninsula.

Though now both based in Italy, where they made their biggest marks in the round leather game, the Ebeye brothers have not in any way forgotten their childhood buddy, David Opeyemi, in spite of his current presence several nautical miles away from them in Northern Cyprus, where he is still playing active football.

While earning a living under the banner of DNG Group, where he and his younger brother are gainfully employed, Friday Ebeye insists that the aura of football will continue running through his veins, and developing new stars will forever be on his mind.

He has now come out to confess that the support they have gained in turning FRITISH Cup 2021 into a huge success has left him and the other two elated, with added zeal to keep to their ambition of making the competition an annual affair, hence the accolades he is giving everyone that has been involved so far in edition number one.

Ebeye senior stressed: “I want to thank everyone. I want to thank all the participating teams, coaches, referees, managers, journalists, and other stakeholders for all your contributions towards the success of FRITISH Football Championship.

“I am using this medium to congratulate all the teams. I wish you all good luck. Thank you and stay blessed. I remain loyal.”