In the vibrant heart of Benin City, a wave of excitement pulses through the air as the long-awaited Benin City Youth League returns for its sixth season. A tournament where dreams are forged and destinies are shaped, as 14 teams are preparing to set the field ablaze with the round leather.
These 14, are not the privileged few with access to state-of-the-art facilities or high-profile trainers, but their resilience and unwavering spirit have propelled them to the cusp of something extraordinary.
These are not just ordinary players; they are the rising stars, the future of football, united under the banner of determination and passion from Wednesday, the 15th of June 2023 at the University of Benin Sports Complex.
BJ FC
Nickname: Double Eagles
Coach: Douglas Idahosa
Rivals: Ine Stars, Rolly FC, Rockers Fc
Base: Oredo LGA, Benin City, Edo State.
Year Founded:1999
BJ Football Club is a dedicated grassroots football team based in Oredo, Benin City with a rich history of achievements ranging from over two decades. The side coached by renowned Douglas Idahosa with extensive coaching experience boasts of several silverware. Some of these are; Dana Cup in Denmark (2000), Copa Coca-Cola Cup at state, national, and South Africa (2009), State FA Cup (2015), Niger/Delta Peace Cup in Port Harcourt (2017), Edo State Bet9ja Cup in (2017), Benin City Youth League (2022) amongst other trophies won.
With their attacking style of play, talented players, and experienced coach, they aim to stamp their mark as an unwavering team in this year’s edition of the Benin Cit Youth League.
Key Players: Adebayor Samson (Goalkeeper and Captain), Osazuwa Imafidon (Center Back), Osaretin Ewere (Right Back), Clifford Ogbeide (Offensive Midfielder), Purpose Ayemogie (Attacker)
Last Season’s Place: Winner
Rolly FC
Nickname: De Lions
Coach: Chukwudi Egonatu
Base: Isihor, Ovia North East.
Rivals: BJ FC, Ine Stars, Dynamo Academica, Yak Sports
Year Founded: 2018
Rolly FC is a young and ambitious grassroots team based in Isihor, Benin City with a focus on nurturing talent and achieving success. After winning the 2021 Benin City Youth League, the young team has become a force to reckon with.
With a skilled and NIS-certified coach in the person of Chukwudi Egonatu, talented players such as Ben Tyongi and Raymond Ikhenoba; committed to their philosophy, De Lions as they are fondly known aim to make a mark in the world of football.
Key Players:
Raymond Ikhenoba (Striker), Ojelum Ernest (Center Midfielder), Ben Tyongi (Center Midfielder), Chukwu Emmanuel (Center Defender)
Last Season’s Place: Second
Eagle Wings
Nickname: De Eagles
Coach: Efe Riches Eguagie
Base: Aruogba, Benin City.
Rivals: None
Year Founded: 1997
Eagles Wings FC based in Aruogba is a team with ambitions to raise a young and vibrant team. The intentions of the club have over time remained to nurture and develop future stars with basic knowledge of football games and a leading way to a strong professional career.
The team is in safe hands with a prolific and NIS-certified coach Efe Riches Eguagie, who’s also a former professional football player. De Eagles are known for their possession style and high-pressing attack. They will be looking forward to putting their footprint in the league.
Key Players: David Osarobo (Centre Back), Odia Uyiosa (Defensive Midfielder) Oghenetega Ovie (Central Forward)
Last Season’s Place: Fifth
Rockers FC
Coach:Chinedu Uba
Base: Ogida Police Barracks.
Rivals:BJ Foundation, Ine Stars
Year Founded: 2003
Rockers FC is a determined team based in Ogida, Benin City with its focal point on hunting for young talents. The club has proven to be a strong side over time by claiming the NNPC SHELL Cup winner in Lagos (2017) and finishing third place at the Chief of Naval Cup in Abuja (2016). They have also won the Edo State Youth League (2016) as well as the CMD Cup (2016)
Having among their ranks as head coach Chinedu Uba is certified by the National Institute of Sports (NIS), the Edo State Football Association Certificate on Sports and the National Certificate of Modern-day Football (NCE).
The team boasts of seasoned players that can bring put them atop of the league over the next 14 weeks.
Key Players: Isaac Justice(Right winger), Akele Zion(striker), Orji Okonkwo, Emmanuel Ofem.
Last Season’s Place: Third
Worshippers Fc
Nickname: Idosa Boys
Coach: Osawe Omosefe
Base: Evbareke, Egor.
Rivals: None
Year Founded: 2020
Founded in 2020, the young Worshipers FC team has unobtrusively been built into becoming a solid powerful outfit that nurtures talented youth from the streets and showcases their talents to the World at large.
The vibrant team is hoping to bag the Benin City Youth Championship title with its tactical attacking technique, ball possession skills and counter-pressing action as well as its quick adaptation to specific conditions and tactics of every single game to be able to outplay the opponent.
With a promising coach Osawe Omosefe, as well as young and skilful who are more than ready to take the lead as the champions for the first time at the Benin City Youth League.
Key Players: Onochojare Davidson (winger),
Orji Chinonso Patrick(defensive midfielder)
Iluhasa Precious (midfielder), Winner Wanito (midfielder).
Last Season’s Place: Ninth
Eminence Football Club
Coach: Ikoko Walcot
Base: Oredo.
Rivals: Shola Fc, Rockers Fc
Year Founded: 2021
Eminence Fc is a fast-rising team with a strong and energetic talent of young players. The club ambitiously seeks to promote, develop and groom players to the zenith of their careers.
With a back room of prolific coaching staff led by Ikoko Walcot, and back rigid four-man defence, the enthusiastic talent of young lads the club aims to achieve nothing short of success in this year’s edition of the Youth Championship.
Key Players: Macauley Fidelis (Defensive Midfielder), Idehen Marvelous (Centre Defender), Umoru Mosuru (Attacking Forward)
Last Season’s Place: Nil
Ine Stars Fc
Nickname: Ine
Coach:Osaro Egharevba
Base:Iyekogba, Oredo.
Rivals:BJ Football Club, Rolly FC
Year Founded:2003
In Starts Fc is an ambitious and audacious team based in Iyekogba with its focus on engaging the youth through their talents. The team over time has bagged the State FA Cup (2016), State League (2017) and Egharevba Charity Cup (2021) The team is set to add to its trophy cabinet as they aim for the league.
Known for their playing style of 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 and high skill in possessing the ball(Tiki-taka). Coach Osaro Egharevba is set to take the league by storm with preparations for the youth league at its zenith.
Key Players: Friday Omoriegie (Attacker), Dafe Stephen (Defensive Midfielder), Timi Afolayan (Central Back), Osazuwa Maxwell (Central Back) and Idehen Maxwell (Goal Keeper).
Last Season’s Place: Eighth
Genesis Football Club
Nickname: Cele
Coach: Tobi Dolumi
Base: Egor
Rivals: Worshippers FC, Deltra FC
Year Founded: 2016
Formerly known as Cele which has now become a nickname for the team, the amateur team founded in 2016 will be expecting to lift the trophy as their 4-3-3 setup has brought success in recent times
Dolumi Tobi will be counting on his young team to bring home the trophy for his side.
Key Players: Nwani Bright (Central Midfielder), Destiny Osahu (Right Wing Forward)
Last Season’s Place: Nil