Ogun State based Nigeria National League side Ijebu United have raised the 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 letter of concern and protest signed by its General Manager, Fatai Olayinka, which was sent to the Nigerian football authorities and also made available to the media, the club categorically stated that the said player is a legally acquired player of Ijebu United.
It noted further that it was wrong to say that the player belongs to Hero Power Academy, saying it has completed all necessary due process in acquiring the service of the player.
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 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:
1.That ABDUL GANIYU DAMILARE IBRAHIM is a bonafide player of Ijebu United Football Club.
2. That Ijebu United FC discovered and declared interest on the said player after a scouting tournament held at Ilorin, kwara State, in Year 2021.
3. That Ijebu United FC, immediately relocated the said player to Ijebu Ode, enrolled him in school and took complete charge of his welfare on a daily basis since same year 2021. (documents of the player in school uniform and photos besides official vehicle of Ijebu United FC herewith attached).
4. 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 the biological parents of the said player 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).
5. That the player has since been enjoying remuneration from Ijebu United FC and was actually registered and participated during 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).
6. That Ijebu United FC was aware all along in respect to the involvement of the said player during activities and programmes of the Nigeria National Team and with our full blessings.
7. That it therefore, comes to us as a shock and disbelief that the said player is being credited to another football outfit and not Ijebu United FC. (copy of publication herewith attached).
8. That we are categorical in our claims that ABDUL GANIYU DAMILARE IBRAHIM, is a player belonging to Ijebu United FC, and plead with the authority concerned to use appropriate offices to reflect accordingly in the spirit of justice, fair play and protections of our investment on the said player over the years.”
