Apapa Golden Stars Dedicate Victory To Fashola

Players and officials of Apapa Golden Stars football club of Lagos has dedicated their 5-1 victory over Gaborone Young Zebras of Botswana Africa to Governor Raji Fashola in a match played on Tuesday at the on-going 2011 Gauteng Future Champions Tournament in Soweto, South.

The team which is flying Nigeria’s flag after Heartland of Owerri’s withdrawal had on Monday drew1-1 with almighty Atletico Mineiro of Brazil and overwhelmed the Seweto fans with their enterprising display of football artistry.

Apapa Stars which emerged tops in the recently concluded Lagos Junior League displayed the true Nigerian spirit after overcoming the initial fright of playing against the Samba Boys on Monday came stronger in the second game and led 4-0 at half time.

Speaking after the match, handler of the side, Coach Nathaniel Olagunju, praised his football players for their determination while commending the Apapa Local Government Chairman, Honourable Ayodeji Joseph for giving the team the opportunity to showcase their talents.

“All the players are just leaving Nigeria for the first time and that contributed to their jittery in the first game and we want to dedicate our victory to Governor Fashola for his vision in creating the Lagos Junior League which has propelled to this level.

“Also, kudos should be given to the Honourable Ayodeji Joseph for this vision which has helped us to compete in this huge international competition.

He promised to take us outside Nigeria if we top our group in the Lagos Junior League and this is a promise which he has fulfilled.”

Apapa Local Government Chairman, Honourable Ayodeji Joseph , said he was very happy with the team because that was their first competition outside Lagos State and their display against a club with a great historical background and from a great country like Brazil shows Nigerian football could be enhanced if developed at the grassroot which is the vision of His Excellency Governor Babatunde Fashola.”

Other foreign teams in the competition include the likes of PSV Eindhoven from Holland, Atletico Mineiro of Brazil, Universidad Católica of Chile, Rubin Kazan of Russia and Pachuca CF of Mexico while Orlando Pirates, Jomo Cosmos, Bidvest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns represent the host, South Africa.

Chinese side Shandong Luneng won this tournament in 2009 after beating French outfit Paris Saint Germain in the final.