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IKEJA ARMY CANTONMENT TEAM, LITTLE WONDERS FC, MAKES LAGOS STATE LEAGUE, GETS CELEBRATED BY BRIG. GEN. SARASO WITH EAGLES FORWARD, MOSES SIMON’S SURPRISE VISIT
By Dedeigbo Ayodeji Commander, 9 Brigade Command, Ikeja, Brig Gen Lader Saraso (m); Super Eagles and Nantes FC of France forward, Moses Simon (3rd left); and Team members of Little Wonders FC during the Novelty Match between Little Wonders FC and 36 Lions FC organized by the 9 Brigade Commander held at the Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai sports complex inside the barracks, Ikeja.
For the first time since its inception in 2002, the Little Wonders FC, a football team resident in the Nigerian Army 9 Brigade Command, Ikeja Cantonment, Maryland, Lagos has qualified for the Lagos State League. When the news of this success got to the Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. M. L. D. Saraso, he was so elated that he decided to give the team a surprise visit by Super Eagles and Nantes FC of France forward, Moses Simon who used to be a young player in the barracks and also a novelty match against popular Lagos team, 36 Lions FC.
The match which held despite the heavy rains last Sunday was played inside the Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai sports complex inside the barracks. The 60-minute-long football cracker packed with lots of frills and thrills ended 3-2 in favor of Little Wonders to the rapturous claps of the guests and the barracks community present.
L-R: Wife of the Super Eagles Star, Mrs. Sarah Moses; Super Eagles Star, Moses Simon and Commander, 9 Brigade Command, Nigerian Army Ikeja, Brig Gen Lader Saraso Presenting a Souvenir to the Football Star during the Novelty Match between Little Wonders FC and 36 Lions FC organized by the 9 Brigade Commander held at the Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai sports complex inside the barracks, Ikeja.
The Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. Saraso noted: ‘the reason for this event is to encourage our barracks youth who are skilled in various fields. When they told me that they qualified to be in the Lagos State League I said this is good. They need to be encouraged so that they can go to the Nigeria National League. That is why I organized this friendly and brought someone who started like them to interact and play with them.’
‘I feel having someone who started from the same background to watch you play and join you to play and give you a pep talk will perhaps give you an encouragement that in some years, we would have many more names that we will celebrate.’
‘We will do this regularly. I will look for those who started in the barracks community to come and interact with our youths. And not only football. Any group that organize themselves to excel will get support.’
L-R: 9 Brigade Command, Nigerian Army Ikeja, Brig Gen Lader Saraso with Chief of Staff, Col. I.O. Amah during the Novelty Match between Little Wonders FC and 36 Lions FC organized by the 9 Brigade Commander held at the Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai sports complex inside the barracks, Ikeja.
‘I advise youths in the barracks to continue to be disciplined. They should be models to other youths outside. The barracks is a community of discipline. Their parents belong to a discipline organization so they should borrow a leaf from their parents. They should not allow themselves to be limited by the barracks environment. They should dream higher, push harder, and think beyond’, the brigade commander charged youths within the community.
On his part, the special guest, Moses Simon who gave his club jerseys to Brig. Gen. Saraso also encouraged the two team with cash support and promotional sports kits, commended the two teams for a well-done job, putting up a good fight to achieve victory in the match.
Moses who joined the Little Wonders in the second half of the match to play against the 36 Lions FC added style and fun to the sporting event.
Sport Officer, 9 Brigade Command, Nigerian Army Ikeja, Major Simon Jonah (m); Super Eagles Star, Moses Simon (2nd right); Commander, Brig. Gen Lader Saraso (right) during the Novelty Match between Little Wonders FC and 36 Lions FC organized by the 9 Brigade Commander held at the Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai sports complex inside the barracks, Ikeja.
Speaking shortly after the match, told the team, ‘I was once like you in the barracks struggling and pushing so hard and now you can see the results.’
‘It is good to be a football player. You are not a criminal. Have faith in yourself. Trust in God. It is good to push and push hard. Listen to your coach. Be disciplined.’
He commended the Brigade Commander of 9 Brigade Command for the invitation. ‘Thank you for the invitation. It is a honour and privilege. Thank you for helping the young boys to grow. I feel so happy to be honored here.’
Sport Officer, 9 Brigade Command, Nigerian Army Ikeja, Major Simon Jonah (m); Commander, Brig. Gen Lader Saraso (right) during the Novelty Match between Little Wonders FC and 36 Lions FC organized by the 9 Brigade Commander held at the Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai sports complex inside the barracks, Ikeja.
It is of note that footballers like Wilfred Ndidi, Ojo Adebayo, Candy Augustine, Emmanuel Jonathan, and Monday Yakubu have also emerged out of the barracks in Maryland, Lagos.
Brig. Gen. Lader Saraso in a warm handshake with the Little Wonders Team
L-R: Super Eagles Star, Moses Simon; his Wife, Sarah Simon and the Commander, 9 Brigade Command, Nigerian Army Ikeja, Brig. Gen Lader Saraso during the Novelty Match between Little Wonders FC and 36 Lions FC organized by the 9 Brigade Commander held at the Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai sports complex inside the barracks, Ikeja.
Team 36 Lions FC with Moses Simon (m); and 9 Brigade Command, Nigerian Army Ikeja Management.
Team Little Wonders FC with Moses Simon (m); and 9 Brigade Command, Nigerian Army Ikeja Management
L-R: Super Eagles Star, Moses Simon; Admin Officer, 9 Brigade Command, Lt. Omale Innocent; Commander, 9 Brigade Command, Nigerian Army Ikeja, Brig. Gen Lader Saraso; Public Relations Officer, 9 Brigade Command, Major A.K. Bello and others during the Novelty Match between Little Wonders FC and 36 Lions FC organized by the 9 Brigade Commander held at the Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai sports complex inside the barracks, Ikeja.
Moses Simon plays the ball to officially starts the novelty match between Little Wonders FC and 36 Lions Club
L-R: Super Eagles Star, Moses Simon Presenting his Club Jersey to Commander, 9 Brigade Command, Nigerian Army Ikeja, Brig Gen Lader Saraso during the Novelty Match between Little Wonders FC and 36 Lions FC organized by the 9 Brigade Commander held at the Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai sports complex inside the barracks, Ikeja.
Chief of Staff, 9 Brigade Command, Nigerian Army Ikeja, Col. I.O. Amah Receiving a Jersey from the Super Eagles Star, Moses Simon.
R-L: Captain, Little Wonders FC; Super Eagles Star, Moses Simon and Commander, 9 Brigade Command, Nigerian Army Ikeja, Brig Gen Lader Saraso during the Presentation of a Jersey to Little Wonders Club by Moses Simon.
Super Eagles Star, Moses Simon (2nd right) Presenting Cash Support to the Captain of Little Wonders FC shortly after the Novelty Match.
Super Eagles Star, Moses Simon (m) Presenting Cash Support to the Captain of 36 Lions FC shortly after the Novelty Match.
L-R: Super Eagles Star, Moses Simon Presenting his Club Jersey to Commander, 9 Brigade Command, Nigerian Army Ikeja, Brig Gen Lader Saraso with the Sport Officer, 9 Brigade Command, Major Simon Jonah; Chief of Staff, 9 Brigade Command, Col. I.O. Amah and other Senior Officers during the Novelty Match between Little Wonders FC and 36 Lions FC organized by the 9 Brigade Commander held at the Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai sports complex inside the barracks, Ikeja.