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“Benin Appreciated My Talent When Nigeria Didn’t” — Ex-Benin International Mouritala Ogunbiyi Reflects on Career, Loyalty

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Former Benin Republic international Mouritala Ogunbiyi has revealed why he chose to represent the Cheetahs over his country of birth, Nigeria, saying the decision was driven by opportunity, appreciation, and the chance to fulfil his international ambitions.

Speaking exclusively to Sports247 during the colourful appreciation ceremony held in honour of immediate past Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA), Ogun State Chairman Chief Olaseinde Bankole (Zico) at the Oba Moshood Alani Oyede Mini Stadium, Joju, Sango-Ota, Ogunbiyi paid glowing tribute to the veteran coach for supporting him at a crucial stage of his career.

“I really appreciate Coach Zico because he supported my career when I needed it most,” Ogunbiyi said.

The event, organised by the Leventis Joju Area Sports Committee, brought together football stakeholders, former internationals, coaches, and administrators to celebrate Bankole’s immense contributions to grassroots football development.

Reflecting on his international career, Ogunbiyi admitted that missing out on the Super Eagles was one of football’s realities, insisting that circumstances and connections often determine opportunities at the highest level.

“It’s a long story. Connections affect some good players from achieving their dream of representing the Super Eagles. Benin Republic appreciated my talent and welcomed me as family,” he explained.

The former midfielder traced his football journey from the grassroots in Ota, where he began his career before joining Indomie FC and later moving to Benin Republic to pursue professional football.

Ogunbiyi enjoyed a distinguished career, representing clubs including Enyimba FC, Étoile du Sahel, Guingamp, Nîmes, Paris FC, and USS Krake, winning trophies at virtually every club he played for.

“One unique thing about my career is that I won laurels with every club I represented,” he proudly stated.

The creative midfielder earned 47 international caps and scored six goals for Benin Republic between 1998 and 2019. He was also a member of the Benin squad that featured at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, facing Nigeria during the tournament.

Asked where his loyalty would lie if Nigeria met Benin Republic in an AFCON final, Ogunbiyi gave an emphatic response.

“It will surely be Benin Republic. I played in three AFCON tournaments and faced Nigeria, even though we lost. My heart belongs to the Dahomey.”

He concluded by expressing gratitude for the love he received throughout his international career.

“I was loved for my creativity in Benin Republic, and the name Mouritala Ogunbiyi became everyone’s favourite.”

Ogunbiyi’s story remains a powerful reminder of how opportunity, recognition, and belief can shape the international careers of African footballers.

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Nigerian Teenage Stars Raheem Salaudeen, Fawas Adeleke Spark UK Scholarship Interest After Stunning Trial

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Two promising Nigerian midfielders, Raheem Moyinoluwa Salaudeen and Fawas Ayomide Adeleke, have attracted significant attention in the United Kingdom after impressing during a football trial, with both youngsters now being considered for scholarship opportunities that could combine their football development with further education.

The teenage midfielders, who are products of Buruj Sports Academy, caught the attention of the technical team with their performances during the trial, opening the door to what could become a major step forward in their young careers.

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Following their impressive showing, Anthony Williams MSC, Director of UK Football Trials, approached the players over a potential scholarship opportunity, with discussions now ongoing with their management representatives.

The proposed scholarships would give the two youngsters an opportunity to continue their football development in the United Kingdom while also pursuing further education, providing a pathway that could prove crucial to their ambitions of becoming professional footballers.

Salaudeen, born on May 13, 2010, has already built an impressive international résumé despite his young age.

The midfielder represented Nigeria at U-15 level during a two-legged international friendly against Morocco in 2024 before featuring for the country at the All African School Games in Algeria in 2025.

His performances subsequently earned him a call-up to the Nigeria U-17 set-up for a four-nation international invitation tournament in China in 2026.

Salaudeen has also gained experience beyond youth international football, having featured in Nigeria’s Nationwide League One, giving him an opportunity to compete against older and more experienced players.

Adeleke, born on April 20, 2011, has followed a similarly impressive path.

The young midfielder represented Nigeria at U-15 level against Morocco in 2024 and was also part of the Nigerian team at the African Schools Football Championship in 2025.

Like Salaudeen, Adeleke has already stepped into senior football through appearances in the Nationwide League One despite still being a teenager.

That combination of youth international experience and exposure to senior football has now helped place both players firmly on the radar in the United Kingdom.

Their latest trial has therefore become more than just another opportunity to showcase their ability.

It could potentially open the door to a new football and educational environment where they can continue developing their technical and tactical qualities while preparing academically for their future.

Both players have completed their secondary education in Nigeria and are now looking ahead to the possibility of beginning the next chapter of their lives in the United Kingdom.

For Salaudeen and Adeleke, the opportunity comes at a crucial stage in their development, with both youngsters determined to take full advantage of the interest generated by their performances.

Their journey from representing Nigeria at youth international level, to gaining valuable senior experience in the NLO, and now attracting scholarship interest in the United Kingdom, underlines the progress made by the two Buruj Sports Academy products.

With discussions over the proposed scholarships continuing, the young Nigerians now have an opportunity that could take their careers to another level.

And if they can build on the promise that attracted attention during their UK trial, Salaudeen and Adeleke could be taking their first major steps towards turning their dream of professional football into reality.

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AXA Mansard Health Takes World Hepatitis Day Campaign to Bariga with Free Screenings and Community Relief

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PRESS RELEASE—As part of efforts to promote preventive healthcare and early detection of diseases, AXA Mansard Health has taken its hepatitis awareness campaign to Bariga, Lagos, providing residents with free screening, health education and support services.
The initiative, organised to commemorate World Hepatitis Day 2026, reflects the health management organisation’s continued focus on improving access to preventive healthcare, particularly in communities where routine screening and health information may be limited.
Residents who participated in the outreach received free hepatitis screening and were educated on prevention, diagnosis and the importance of seeking timely medical attention.
The programme also extended beyond medical intervention, with relief packages distributed to vulnerable families in the community as part of efforts to provide immediate support to beneficiaries.
According to AXA Mansard Health, taking health education and screening directly to communities is critical to closing gaps in awareness and access to preventive services.
The initiative underscores the growing importance of preventive healthcare in Nigeria, where delayed diagnosis and limited access to routine screening can worsen the health and financial consequences of treatable diseases.
For insurers and health maintenance organisations (HMOs), greater emphasis on prevention and early detection could also help reduce long-term healthcare costs by encouraging timely intervention before illnesses become more severe.
The Bariga outreach therefore highlights a broader shift in healthcare delivery towards awareness, screening and early intervention rather than treatment after diseases have advanced.
AXA Mansard Health said it would continue to support initiatives that equip Nigerians with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about their health.
The organisation stressed that sustained public education and improved access to screening are essential to preventing hepatitis from progressing into serious and potentially life-threatening conditions.
The campaign also demonstrates the role of private-sector, early detection and preventive care.

The post AXA Mansard Health Takes World Hepatitis Day Campaign to Bariga with Free Screenings and Community Relief appeared first on Business Today NG.

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