Sapele is a city in southwestern Nigeria, positioned in Delta State. Sapele is located at the headwaters of the Benin River, which flows out to the Niger Delta.
Soccer improvement in Sapele began in the 1950’s, when soccer was just at its infancy in Nigeria, and Sapele a town observed for excellence was at the fore entrance in football then. The then Sapele township stadium was among the the 1st produced stadium in Nigeria The wish to absolutely acquire football at the grassroots stage gave beginning to the Sapele Newbie Football Association in 1987.
This was swiftly adopted by the staging of the inaugural Sapele Cup of Nations Level of competition in 1988. It was a opposition that showcased 16 groups from Sapele and environs. Some of the teams that participated at the inaugural Cup of Nations competitiveness include things like: K.B Stars, Athletico De Marin, Ghana Black Stars and Loaders F.C.
The competition was place together by Mr. Gabriel Igarri and Mr. Dan Evumena. It is attention-grabbing to note that the inaugural Sapele Cup of Nations trophy was donated by Chief P.D.O Akpeki the Ugo of Okpe Kingdom. Heading back again to soccer progress in Sapele, it is deserving of take note to recall that in 1968, Nova Luna Football Club was formed. It was the initially Youth club in Sapele. It was launched by Late Mr. Tony Okonedo who was then a Graded soccer referee. He also established Women Football club that identical 12 months. Immediately after the development of Nova Luna, came Niger Swimming pools Soccer club in 1969. It was formed by the Niger Swimming pools corporation.
It afterwards metamorphosed into Strangers Football Club in 1969 which was formed by previous gamers of Niger Pools F.C. Strangers Football club was then captained by Olayinka John( Ayogi) who died on the 7th of January 2010 following a protracted illness. The club existed for two and a 50 percent several years.
In 1971, Ethiope F.C Sapele was fashioned and it attained prominence thanks to the caliber of gamers in its fold then. When it was rumored that the club will be leaving Sapele for a new base, the then Governor of Bendel Point out- Osaigbovo Ogbemudia took more than the affairs of the club and re-named it New Nigeria Lender F.C, with its base in Sapele.
There ended up 4 State club in the then Bendel Condition
Ethiope Football Club (Afterwards re-named New Nigeria Bank F.C Sapele)
Viper F.C Benin (Later re-named Bendel Insurance plan of Benin)
Ika Rangers F.C Agbor (Later re-named Midwest Line F.C)
Warri Wolves F.C Warri (Afterwards re-named Midwest Line F.Cz)
These four clubs were later handed above to different companies by the then Bendel Condition Governing administration.
In 1971/72, there was the eleven brothers F.C and Eleven Strikers F.C the two centered in Sapele.
Late Olayinka John (Ayogi) was the then coach of eleven brothers. The club created the likes of German Odjegbe who was the then captain of Bendel U-17 soccer crew that gained Gold medal at the 1973 National Sports Pageant. The club also generated Prince Afejukwu, Oshoff Shogbene, goalkeeper Nasiru Momoh, Samuel Afejukwu and Ighoraye Ogayone. Eleven Strikers F.C were being then captained by Monday Daibo and the staff experienced the likes of Andrew Boyo.
In 1973, Ethiope F.C later on re-named New Nigeria Lender F.C remaining Sapele and in 1974, the workforce was then known as Customized and Exercising F.C. A bulk of gamers from Strangers F.C Sapele fashioned the Tailor made F.C which was then beneath the Custom and Physical exercise Division.
The staff was then captained by inspirational defender Gabriel Igarri from 1975 to 1983. Inside this time period below review, there have been other groups that sprang up in the Sapele metropolis. These contain: Governing administration Coastal Agency F.C – Established in 1976, Seaboard F.C (Comprising Delta Packaging firm, Existence Flour Mills and Top feeds)- started in 1977 and Palm Line Agency F.C- Founded in 1977. From these three teams, a joint workforce to stand for Sapele was formed. It was then termed Urhiapele F.C. Urhiapele F.C was established in the 1985/1986 season. The club did not nevertheless previous extended owing to administrative troubles. They only performed one particular helpful match against the Nigerian Countrywide Petroleum Company Soccer Club Warri.
There was also the Rainbow Football club which arrived into existence in 1980. The club which was then actively playing in the Condition League/ Condition Problem Cup was sponsored by Chief Michael Ibru. 1 noteworthy participant that arrived out of the ranks of Rainbow F.C was Goalkeeper Andrew Aikhomogbe who later on rose to prominence and represented the U-17 Countrywide crew the Golden Eaglets at the FIFA U-17 Championship tagged Scotland 89.