A former striker in the national team of Benin Republic, Shakiru Abikoye (Shakur) showed sparks of his active days when he fearured in an exhibition match at Landpark Field, Coker-Orile, Lagos, Sports247 reports.
The dark-skinned attacker, who starred for Delta United of Asaba, Energie FC of Benin Republic and Coffee FC of Ethiopia during his heyday, put up a sparkling show that excited football fans at the arena this past Friday.
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Abikoye was one of the many foreign-based former players who featured for ‘Ebere & Friends’ against Idowu Boys All Stars in a game staged as a memorial for the club’s late coach and other deceased tacticians from the area.
Among dignitaries who witnessed the match were the sole administrator of Badagry Division Football Association (BDFA), Coach Osahon Emokpae, secretary-general of Nigerian Grassroots Football Federation (NGFF), Pastor Oscar Ezinwa Emmanuel and a couple of ex-internationals led by Taiwo Enegwea.
Organiser of the game, Ebere Goodluck, who played for Idowu Boys FC and is now based in the United States of America, said it was a rallying point for colleagues that grew up together playing football in the area and a symbolic memorial for his late coach, Idowu Matti.
“I am grateful to everybody who turned up to witness this little effort to remember Coach Idowu and bring many friends back together after several years apart.
“I am also grateful to God for making it smooth and without any hitches. It was a memorable day that we hope will take place every year,” Ebere said.
Sports247 gathered further that, apart from France-based Abikoye, other former players from abroad who featured were Monday ‘Obrotoyo’ Samuel (Italy), Abubakar Karim (Scotland), Bobosky Smith (South Africa), Christian Ofili (USA), Paul Banney (USA), Wasiu Afolabi (France) and Joseph Solomon (France).
Also in action for ‘Ebere & Friends’ were Justin Casillas (USA), Tunde Ishola (Sweden), Jimmy Nwaoze (Netherlands), Nicholas Balogun (USA), Michael Andrew (France), Durosimi Adeleke Pablo (France), Success Godwin (France), Gabriel Okechukwu (England), Sunday Okoi (France) and Chinedu Obinnor.
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