Upgrade Lafiagi Township Stadium, AFA Football Academy Founder Urges Kwara Govt
The Founder and CEO of AFA Football Academy, Aliyu Issa Edu has implored Kwara State Government to upgrade Lafiagi Township Stadium.
Edu made this call on Friday during official unveiling of AFA Football Academy Lafiagi officially unveiled at the Lafiagi Township Stadium, Edu Local Government Area, Kwara State.
His words: “Football is a global language that unites generations. We hope the government will support this idea. The current stadium facilities are not in the best condition, but we are managing what is available while hoping for improvements.”
“We are just starting, and we have many programs lined up. Our players have been training together for seven months, and today’s unveiling with a novelty match is to let the world know that we exist. This is not the Lafiagi of yesterday; this is the Lafiagi of tomorrow, driven by ambitious youths.”
AFA Football Academy Founder said the team has been registered with FIFA, TMS, and other football governing bodies, ensuring compliance with international standards.
The event started with a novelty match between AFA Football Academy and Dolly P from Ilorin ended in 2-0 victory for the Lafiagi based Football Academy.
While sharing his vision for the Football Academy, Edu said his experience as a former Nigerian local player inspired him to create opportunities for young talents.
“I used to be a local player in Nigeria, and I had dreams of playing at higher levels, but we couldn’t go far. When I got the opportunity to travel abroad, I saw how private citizens invested in sports development. Now that I am back, I want to bring that knowledge home, nurture young talents, and hopefully see them play in Europe, America, and other top footballing nations. Our agenda is to grow local football and help minimize crime in our communities”. He explained
He emphasized that football is more than just a sport but a tool for youth engagement and community development.
Amb Issac Edu urged young people to embrace hard work and patience, stressing that success is a process. “Crime is not the way to growth. There is no shortcut to making money; it is a journey that requires dedication, and if you follow the process, you will succeed in life.”
The Chairman of the Edu Local Government Football Association (FA), Mr. Malik Manzuma, praised the establishment of AFA Football Academy, describing it as a significant step toward youth and community development.
Manzuma used the opportunity to thank Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for approving the renovation and upgrade of Lafiagi Township Stadium.
“Once completed, this project will not only motivate young players but also serve as a source of internal revenue generation for the local government,” he stated.
The Director of AFA Football Academy, Dr. Manzuma, revealed that the idea for the academy began four years ago, and its official unveiling on February 27, 2025, marks a new chapter in its journey.
“At the start, we played for fun and small prizes, but now our goal is much bigger. We are determined to take this academy to the next level—to see our boys play for the national team and international clubs. If we can achieve even one of these goals, we will consider our mission a success,” he concluded.
The unveiling of AFA Football Academy is expected to create a lasting impact on football development in Kwara State, providing young players with opportunities to pursue professional careers in the sport.