Ijebu United raises alarm over ownership of Golden Eaglets’ Player
Ogun State based Nigeria National League side, Ijebu United have raised alarm over the ownership of youngster AbdulGaniyu Damilare Ibrahim, who is currently playing for the Golden Eaglets in the ongoing WAFU B championship in Ghana.
In a protest letter signed by its General Manager, Fatai Olayinka which was sent to the Nigerian football authorities and also made available to the media, categorically stated that the said player is a legally acquired player of Ijebu United.
The letter reads, “Attention of Ijebu United Football Club has been drawn to the final list of players of the Nigeria National U-17 squad presently in Ghana for the WAFU B tournament and particularly, in reference to the above player; Abdul Ganiyu Damilare Ibrahim, purported to belong to Hero Power Academy. We hereby wish to state as follows; that Abdul Ganiyu Damilare is a bonafide player of Ijebu United Football Club.
That Ijebu United FC discovered and declared interest on the said player after a scouting tournament held at Ilorin, kwara State, in 2021 and that the club immediately relocated the said player to Ijebu Ode, enrolled him in school and took complete charge of his welfare on a daily basis since 2021. (documents of the player in school uniform and photos besides official vehicle of Ijebu United FC herewith attached).
The club also stated that in view of the fact that the said player, was a minor and in order to register him for the league, Ijebu United FC requested and got the parental consent from his biological parents and properly documented same at the High Court of Justice in kwara State precisely, on January 16th, 2023. (copy of the parental consent referred to is herewith attached).
And that the player has since been enjoying remuneration from Ijebu United FC and was actually registered and participated at the 2023/2024 Nigeria National League football season and equally registered duly for the current 2024 edition of the Federation Cup Competition for Ijebu United FC (player’s licences herewith attached).
Ijebu United further went to assert that it was aware all along in respect to the involvement of the said player during activities and programmes of the Nigeria National Team and with their full blessings noting that it came to the club as a rude shock and disbelief that the said player is being credited to another football outfit and not Ijebu United FC.
The club then pleaded with the authorities to look into their complaint in the spirit of justice, fair play and protections of their investment on the said player over the years.”
