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‘Kunle Soname Is Raising The Standard’ — Ogun FA Chairman Hails Beyond Limits’ Historic Gothia Cup Triumph
Chairman of the Ogun State Football Association, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, has showered praises on football entrepreneur Hon. Kunle Soname following Beyond Limits Football Academy’s successful defence of the prestigious Gothia Cup title in Sweden.
The Nigerian academy defeated ASEC Mimosas of Côte d’Ivoire in the final to retain the world’s biggest youth football tournament, becoming back-to-back champions and further cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s leading football development institutions.
Reacting to the achievement, Majekodunmi described the victory as a proud moment for Ogun State and Nigeria, saying it reflects Soname’s unwavering commitment to discovering and nurturing young football talents.
“On behalf of the Ogun State Football Association, I heartily congratulate Hon. Kunle Soname, the management, coaches and players of Beyond Limits Football Academy on this outstanding achievement. Winning the Gothia Cup back-to-back is a remarkable feat that reflects hard work, discipline and quality,” Majekodunmi said.
The Ogun FA chairman, who is also an Executive Board Member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), credited Soname with transforming youth football through sustained investment and a clear development philosophy that continues to produce players capable of competing on the international stage.
According to him, Beyond Limits has become a benchmark for football academies across Nigeria by providing a structured pathway from grassroots football to elite competition.
“Hon. Soname has continued to raise the bar and set new standards in football development. Through Beyond Limits Football Academy, he has once again placed Ogun State and Nigeria on the global map for the right reasons. The academy has become a shining example of excellence that others should emulate,” he added.
Majekodunmi also commended the players and coaching crew for maintaining high standards throughout the competition, urging them to remain focused as they continue their development into future stars for club and country.
Beyond Limits dominated the tournament from start to finish, completing the competition unbeaten with five wins and one draw, while scoring an incredible 30 goals and conceding just once on their way to lifting the coveted trophy for the second consecutive year.
The latest triumph adds another chapter to the academy’s remarkable rise under Soname, whose football project—which includes Nigeria Premier Football League champions Remo Stars FC—has become one of the country’s most successful talent development models.
For Majekodunmi, Beyond Limits’ latest European success is more than just another trophy; it is proof that strategic investment in youth football can produce world-class results and further elevate Nigeria’s reputation as one of Africa’s foremost producers of football talent.
Ahead of the 2026/2027 NNL season, teams have intensified preparations with the recruitments of new players and officials, as well as, engaging in trial games.
Lagos based NNL side Smart City Football Club, are leaving no stones unturned as it has doubled up its preparations to ensure it gets the much desired ticket to the topmost cadre of Nigerian football, Nigeria Premier Football League.
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Speaking exclusively with Sports Chronicle Magazine, Abiodun Obafemi, who is the sporting director of Smart City FC, disclosed that the team is well prepared and better motivated ahead of the season’s task.
“We’re presently done with recruitments, we rounded up everything last week. So, we’re basically in the last phase of our preparations, with grade A friendly games lined up,” he disclosed.
Speaking on the targets of the management, Abiodun Obafemi, MON and a 1996 Olympic games gold medalist, said, “the target of all, including coaches, players and the leadership of team, of course, is to pick the sole NPFL ticket in our group.”
“We don’t just want to talk the talk, we want to do it this time around to make amend for the near misses of the last two seasons,” the former Super Eagles and Stationery Stores defender was full of praises for the management of the team for its commitment to the welfare and improvement of the team, ahead of the new football league season.
“In terms of motivation, the management has usual, has done their bit. And I can say that no Smart City player or official is being own a dime.
“Muchmore, there has been additional provisions of quality training materials, as well as, world class and modern football equipment,” he remarked gleefully.
“In my roles as a senior executive of the club, I remain committed to the development of the club, as well as, ensuring that all the units of the team, functions at their best to meet our seasonal goals. And our main objective this season, is promotion to the NPFL, which is long overdue,” he added.
Smart City FC have been placed in group B, and are expected to competed for the sole ticket to the NPFL, against other teams in the group, including, Beyond Limits FC, Ekiti United, Solution FC, Akwa United, Dokkal Khairu, Abakaliki FC, Bayelsa United and Right2Win FC.
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