Football as a sport has proven to be an escape route in helping talented youngsters. From the urban to the rural slums of Lagos, youngsters channel their energy into playing the beautiful game.
Nigeria football has over the years been in the spotlight due to the influx of talents the country possesses. Ever wondered where these amazing players are picked from even those who have gone on to make Nigerians proud outside the shores of the country?
The answer to that question is quite simple, a huge number of them are been picked and nurtured from the shanty towns of the country that are unapologetically crazy about football.
While each community has a different relationship with football, the basic goal is to take young boys who are from impoverished backgrounds off the street in other to give them direction and motivation.
5 Famous Football-Crazy Communities In Lagos
1. Ajegunle
A neighbourhood located in the heart of Lagos is arguably known as one of the dangerous hubs in the city for its high crime rate. Devastating, dilapidated surroundings, and very porous infrastructure that expose the youth to criminal acts.
Interestingly, the legendary slum isn’t known for its high crime rate alone or the bad reputation that ranks the neighbourhood as one of the most dangerous slums. However, the community is well revered for its rich reputation in producing talented footballers since the early 90s and has gone on to put smiles on the faces of football-loving Nigerian fans.
The ghetto as it’s popularly called produced great football talents such as Brown Ideye, Alfred Emuejeraye, Odion Ighalo, Obafemi Martins, and the legendary trio of West, Siasia, and Akpoborie who took AJ city to the forefront of the footballing world.
Up till now, the slum is regarded as the home of football in Nigeria simply because many youngsters in the neighbourhood sees football as a route to shun crime by spending most of their time honing and developing their talent in the local pitches in Ajegunle.
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2. Abesan-Estate Ipaja
Amongst the 16 popular housing estates constructed under the Late Lateef Jakande administration during the second republic was the Abesan-Estate, Ipaja under the Mosan/Okunola Local Council.
This amazing neighbourhood is truly known for the obsession the youths in that part of Lagos have with the game of football.
I recall my formative years in this very interesting and lively environment, football is a sport that is widely played and embraced by the youths, with the hope that it’s going to create or give them a better shot in life.
This amazing part of Lagos homes quite a number of local pitches and playing grounds known for hosting a number of football competitions such as the popular playing ground known as ‘Greenland Football Pitch’ located at the Old Greenland bus stop at Abesan Estate Ipaja and ‘Pius Ikedia Football Field‘ located at off Bamaka Road Adjacent Liberty Evangelical Church Ipaja.
These two local pitches mentioned above are well known for their popularity in bringing youths together when it comes to playing the game of football.
Interestingly for those who are quite familiar with the estate could attest to the fact that the Abesan Estate is also the home of football that produced players like Pius Ikedia.
3. Agege
Agege is a part of Lagos known for accommodating the Yorubas, Igbos, Hausas, and a host of other tribes in Nigeria.
This great community also has a great history in lightning up when the game of football comes to town with a massive crowd ready to see the round leather game and also cheer the boys to victory.
Grassroots football in Nigeria has always been a major point in preparing the youth involved in it for the professional world. There are a lot of talents on the streets of Lagos involved in playing grassroots football, as such Agege is one of those places where the beautiful game is crazily played.
At Agege ‘Ile Pako Mini Stadium’ is well renowned for homing and producing brilliant players that have represented the nation on the biggest of stages, stars such as Haruna Lukman and Taye Taiwo one of the finest left-back Nigeria has ever produced.
While “Ile-Pako” is well known for homing young talents and extremely obsessed football fans, one thing you cannot take away from that great pitch is fun.
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4. Mushin
Mushin or Moonshine as it is popularly called is one of the most popular cities in Lagos that has a long history of tension over the years amongst some of the youths, which makes some people feel reluctant to reside there.
However, that doesn’t mean Mushin doesn’t have its good side with youths who legally represent the community in terms of sports and other things that make them happy and likewise.
Mushin may not be blessed with quite several open playing grounds unlike other places in Lagos, but they surely have a lot of secondary schools with pitches where youths utilize in honing their talents. Those schools include Eko Boys High School, Birch Freeman High School, Archbishop Aggey Senior Secondary School, and Igbo-Owu Secondary School amongst others.
For decades now Mushin youths have been renowned for their love in playing street football notably the 5 aside and 3 aside football that often brings the youths together on various streets every weekend in Mushin.
I recall growing up at Ojuwoye one of the most popular streets in Mushin, playing street football was notably the order of the day every weekend, in streets like Williams Ladega, Olapade, and Aganran to name a few.
Those who are familiar with footballing events in Mushin would recall that Super Falcons star player Asisat Oshoala is one of the notable names that hones her football skill on the street of Mushin and likewise the legendary Fatai Atere.
5. Oshodi
Like Mushin, this renowned neighbourhood is believed to be one of the earliest adopters of grassroots football in Lagos.
When it comes to playing the round leather game it brings together youths who’re mostly from economically deprived homes and those who don’t want to get themselves involved in illegal acts.
At Oshodi, youth are usually seen at the popular Apata Memorial High School or Oshodi High School on weekends honing their skill with the round leather game. Some that can’t go to school fields would make do with a 5 aside or 3 aside at Bolade and Mafoluku two of the most popular streets in Oshodi.
If you want to enjoy street football at its best, pay a visit to another home of football at “Jalisco Sports Centre” a very popular place that hosts the youths.
One could only hope and pray the passion and likeness those youth has for the game take them off the street and focus on bettering their lives through football.
Conclusion
While there are a lot of neighborhoods in Lagos that are crazy about football, the names of areas mentioned in this piece don’t necessarily mean they are the only one that loves or is obsessed with the game.
We may not mention them all. Feel free to drop your comments/name other areas you feel or know that is unapologetically crazy about football.
