JAGAMATO Unity Football Cup, and Matters Arising by Mubarak Dirdiu

Since the turn of the 21st century, there has been a huge influx of footballing talent emerging from Africa. In recent years, we have derived pleasure from watching legendaries of George Weah (Liberia), Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Abedi Pele (Ghana), Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria), and Yaya Touré (Ivory Coast) Saydou Keita (Mail) among other great players.

Currently, African players like Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Sadio Mané (Senegal), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria), André Onana (Cameroon), and Victor Oshimen (Nigeria) represents a tapestry of humble African backgrounds, pride, hope and aspirations in their respective football careers.

All these great talents began playing from the streets, backyards, schools, and community fields to playing in one of the biggest football clubs on the planet, breaking and setting new records in their own unique times. One of the things they share in common is their rise to fame from humble beginnings, attaining success by believing in themselves.

For Instance, Riyad Mahrez (Algeria), who is currently the highest paid player in Africa is paid £858,945 by Al-Ahli football club in Saudi-Arabia. His weekly salary when converted to Nigerian currency is equal to N1,276,279,121 (N1.27 billion) in a single week. That is about N4.9 billion per month and N58.8 billion yearly. Mahrez started playing football in a car park while leaving with his uncle in France, and lost his dad when he was 15.

Sadio Mané (Senegal), was born in Bambali, Sédhiou, Senegal. He wished for a career in football, but his father (who was an imam) forbade him from playing the sport as a child; however, his father died when he was seven years old. At the age of 15, he ran away from his home village with the help of a childhood friend, Luc Djiboune, and went to Dakar to pursue his ambition of becoming a footballer; from that time he was supported by his family to fulfill his potential. Today, Mané receives the sum of £658,194, when converted to Naira is N997,990,719 million weekly and N3.9 billion monthly.

Victor Osimhen (Nigeria), born and brought up in Olusosun area in Oregun/Ojota of Lagos state comes from a poor family. He used to sell sachet water in the streets of Lagos and later moved to cleaning gutters for N20 Naira. Today Osimhen is the most expensive player in the history of Africa and Napoli. Osimhen earns a weekly wages of £211,000 equivalent to N313,499,580 which is N1.2 billion Naira in a month.

Football has evolved from entertainment to a business because of the enormous financial opportunities it offers. While entertainment remains a central aspect, the commercialization of the sport has led to various factors like the increasing popularity of the sport, lucrative television deals, sponsorship agreements, and the global fan base.

Clubs operate as businesses to generate revenue through ticket sales, outfits, broadcasting rights, and player transfers. This commercialization has transformed football into a multi-billion dollar industry, with clubs competing not only on the field but also in the financial markets.

For a very long time, JAGAMATO citizens have considered sports (football) as a mere hobby rather than a billion-dollar business. However, we enjoy watching football without promoting football, killing the dreams and talents in our young players by not investing in them to pursue professional careers in both local and international football.

More than 30 years ago, Ganye boasted a reputable football club known as “Black Arrows,” based in Sangassumi. Players were selected from across Ganye without discrimination. Notable among the pioneer club players were:

Yahya Bukar Youngo (4), Sanusi Faruk Jauro (Former Commissioner, Youth & Sports), Jared Satburi Gangso (Now ES Health) (5), Joel Sunday (Digol) (6), Mohammed Plasido, Late Abubakar Goga, Late Hambarka Tela, Late Bello (Coach Bando), Late Idris Umar (4), Abdulkarim (2), Ganye (3), Mohammed (RIP), among others.

Though they played before many of us were born, the tales of Black Arrows remain vivid memories. At that time, football wasn’t widely accepted in many Northern households, with parents viewing it as a taboo, restricting their children’s participation.

The Black Arrows officials at the time were: Late Umar Mohammed Yero (Chairman), Alh. Tukur Gamu (Patron), Late Alh Aliyu Daudu (TM) (Team Manager), Alh. Baba Dayi (LGA Sport Director).

The second-generation Black Arrows team comprised promising young men selected for their discipline, skills, and talent. Some players represented Adamawa in Enugu State, including Gambo, who later became the team manager of Ganye United and was selected to play for Nigeria’s Super Eaglets in the FIFA U-17 World Cup 1992 in Brazil.

Despite Nigeria’s record of five U-17 FIFA World Cup wins, players from Jada, Ganye, Mayo, and Toungo have never made it to the Super Eaglets or those tournaments. We had qualified young players who could have represented the country internationally, but we failed to invest in them.

Imagine if we had sponsored these players to the NFF, NPL, or CAF Premier. Perhaps we would have produced stars like Nwanko Kanu, Jay-Jay Okocha, or Victor Moses. The Black Arrows of that era could have competed in the Champions League with proper promotion and transfers.

After my dad, who chaired Black Arrows, passed away in 2004, the team players scattered and later formed Ganye United Football Club. The team players included:

Juakin (9), Suleiman_Baggio (10), Yusuf Atiku (Bero) (8), Abubakar U. Sanda (Tari, English Tree) (3), Wali (6), Bashiru Ahmadu (Salgado) (2), Choki Baba (3), Momsiri (Alhaji Gadara) (7&9), Munatare Tugga (7), Suleiman Bebeto, Maitala Abubakar (11), Mohammed Somseni (9), Mohammed Isa (Maman Ciko), Dahiru Bashiru (Okocha) (9), Jonathan Moses (International Photos) (4), Ahmadi Tapare (RIP) (5), Manu Incharge (5), Pascal Itodo (4&8), Ayuba Kimbeto (1), Isa IliyasuI (Isa Seeman) (1), Rabiu Abdullahi Gambo (Dida) (1), Mohammed Ahijo (Buffon) (1), among others.

The team was managed by late Aliyu TM, Malam Ali Pele, Yahya Bukar Youngo, Ishaku Babidi, Coach Ade, and others in Gangwari Square until 2011. Since then, Ganye United has been a mere name, lacking spirit, purpose, and joy.

Apart from Ganye United FC, we had remarkable teams like Beni-Star, Rangers, Moving-Star, Sangassumi Warriors, Tike FC, and Yorro, which nurtured talented young players in the past. They participated in numerous tournaments, five-a-sides, and friendlies within and outside the state. However, none of these clubs capitalized on the lucrative opportunities in football. They played solely for enjoyment, an era that has faded away.

Consider Doma United in Gombe, a club that originated in a neighborhood of Doma in Gombe State. Founded in 1994, Doma United secured a respectable 5th position in the Nigerian Premier League table last year. Even Governor Inuwa Yahya of Gombe is contemplating financing Doma United to represent the state since Gombe United’s performance is lacking.

In Adamawa, we once had Adamawa United FC, but we’ve been absent from the NPL for years, consistently finding ourselves in the relegation zone. We lack a homegrown club like Doma United to represent the state in the NPL. Recently, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri approved a substantial sum of N4.7 billion for the reconstruction and completion of the Yola mega stadium, benefiting the youth. This significant investment in sports infrastructure will foster the development of grassroots football in the state.

At the local government level, JAGAMATO has made little progress in sports. No player currently represents Adamawa United, the state team. Our players underestimate themselves, limiting their aspirations. Yet, I believe Jagamato possesses skillful players awaiting discovery. What we require is someone who recognizes the value of investing in the future, not just the present.

For years, individuals like Hon Mohammed Bassi have been anticipated. Hon Bassi envisioned football differently, endeavoring to bring football promoters to Ganye chiefdom, allowing our young players the opportunity to venture abroad. Hence, he organized Jagamato Unity Cup in Jada, with two clubs from each LGA which the final was played in Ganye on Saturday 4th May 2024. Hon Kwamati B. Laori, member Numan/Demsa/Lamorde was represented the Governor and handed the trophy to the winners, Ganye United.

From what I’ve gathered, the Jagamato tournament isn’t solely about entertaining football enthusiasts. It’s a purposeful initiative driven by individuals who recognize the potential in young footballers and are committed to nurturing and promoting their talents. The two Egyptians scouts who came to Ganye and select 7 of our players would’ve taken the whole squad if it were Ganye United of 20 years ago; Jonathan, Seleiman Baggio, Bash, Bero, Munatare, Ahmadi, Juakin, Maitala, Choki, and Gambo etc.

Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis, a Yola-born player currently with Watford in the English Premier League, exemplifies this journey. Dennis began his football career in Michika, eventually making his way to England via Kwara Football Academy in Ilorin from 2010-2016, then to Zorya Luhansk, Ukraine. He later joined Club Brugge before moving to FC Köln on loan and ultimately landing at Watford.

André Onana, Manchester United’s first African goalkeeper, hails from Nkol Ngok, a village in central Cameroon. His passion for football was evident from a young age, leading him to the Samuel Eto’o Academy before joining Barcelona in 2010 at just 14 years old.

In 2022, Joselu was in Paris supporting Real Madrid in the Champions League final as a fan. Two years later, he scored two goals in extra time, propelling Real Madrid to the Champions League final. Prior to that, Joselu joined Real Madrid on loan from Espanyol, making it possible for another Joselu among the 7 selected players.

No investment is too great for this endeavor, not even a billion Naira. As long as we witness one of our own playing professionally abroad, the return on investment is immeasurable. A weekly or perhaps a monthly wage will cover the whole investment. Thus, Jagamato, Adamawa and Nigeria at large could generate annual tax from these players.

Finally, I urge Hon Mohammed Bassi to disregard criticism and mischief-makers, and to continue providing youths with a platform to showcase their potential by organizing this tournament annually, making their way to becoming some of the most successful players in history.

Mubarak Dirdiu writes from Ganye mubarakumar669@gmail.com