Sports
Greenlock Academy officially compete in NLO
The 2025/26 National League One season will have a new entrant in its ranks, with Greenlock Academy set to formally compete for the first time in the Nigerian football pyramid, following the club’s official inauguration on Saturday.
The official inauguration ceremony, which took place at the Navy sports complex at Satellite Town, Lagos, witnessed the first professional steps of the academy, which was founded in 2023.
Executive vice president of the academy, Funsho Peters, outlined the objectives and ambitions for the club in an interview with saying, “It’s been about a year and a half now, although it feels like it has been 10 years or more. So I’m excited to see what we keep doing moving forward.
“We will be competing in the NLO, and I’m excited to see how we perform. I’m just focused on taking it one game at a time. Winning the league would be nice, but most importantly, making sure these players are fully ready to play at the next level when the opportunity comes is more important to me. But at the same time, you do have to win games. If you’re winning games, you obviously have the best players as well. So it goes hand in hand like that for us.”
When quizzed on player registration and recruitment, Peters revealed, “It is open to the public, but it is very selective as well. What we have done is that we have scouts around the whole of Nigeria scouting. But most importantly, through registrations as well. Once you have your kids and they’re interested in coming into the system, it is just a matter of contacting us. It is also a school whereby you pay and get involved, but it is very selective because we want the best athletes and the best students as well.”
On gaining promotion to the NNL, he said, “I think that will be a game-time decision. We will have to decide when that time comes.”
The team will play its home fixtures at the same facility used by another Lagos-based side, FC Ebedei, while the academy will welcome visiting clubs at the Navy sports centre in Satellite Town. The academy will also make use of Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne for some of their home matches.
Vice chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, Dotun Coker, expressed his pleasure, “We are very happy with this, that is why we are here. We have analysed what Greenlock Academy is bringing to the state and we are happy with the programs they have on the ground. So, for an academy to thrive, you actually need your accommodation facilities, your medicals, and such academies should encourage an effective combination of education and football. So it’s not just football.
“We have been monitoring them and found that they encourage these children to take their education seriously. So it’s a great one for the state and we advise other investors that are interested in setting up academies to emulate what Greenlock has put in place now.”
Coker stated that the newly-formed outfit would benefit from its partnership with the state body, just like other clubs based in the metropolis.
One of the team’s rising talents, Alonge Daniel, said, “It’s been over a year since I joined the Academy. I came in through the last open screening that was conducted. It was a very tough process as I had to bat with over 700 players, but I’m grateful to God. I was one of those selected thanks to my ability.
“I have the same aspirations as every other player to make it to the highest level. For my name to go far like Osimhen, and the other footballing greats, like Mikel Obi and I believe that Greenlock will provide me with the pathways to do that because we have the facilities, the coaches and everything that we need to keep putting in the work, and we will get there in due time.”
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.