Rock behind Nigeria's Gothia Cup victory

In pursuance and realization of a personal dream on the one hand, and bringing further fame and honour to motherland, Nigeria the SUM boys and girls football Academy set sail to be part of the 2006 Gothia Cup competition in Sweden recently.

Only last year, the same team travelled to that European nation alongside over 50 others across the globe, but fell one step of lifting the trophy, which was won by the country since the days of Samson Siasia and co under the auspices of the Youths Sports Federation of Nigeria-YSFON, many years ago.

Only last weekend in Sweden, the SUM Queens FC, representing the country, defeated their opponents from Norway 0-1in the final played in Sweden to cart home the giant trophy..."in realization of our dreams and beckoning on honour to come over to our country in particular."

After our report of the victory of the Nigerian girls at the global Gothia female soccer tournament, we sought to know how the team got started and the sole motivator of the side. And our search took through almost all nooks and crannies of the Lagos metropolis and some of the surburbs.

At the end of the exercise however, nigeriasports.com can authoritatively report that, one unassuming person, is the 'Rock of Gibralta,' as they say, behind the great feat as "part of my contributions to both mankind and my country."

"I am private man, who is not only interested in promoting football, but also in soughting ways through which I can assist those, who play the game; that is the footballers (male and female) to reap the labour of their God-given talents.

"I have been disturbed for a very long time of the inability of some of our local coaches to nurture a side or the nation to greater heights in the game.

"This disturbance propelled me to form an academy about four years ago, where I think I can do my heart's desire to these young Nigerians, who have chosen to live their lives through football.

"That was precisely how I came about the formation of the SUM FOOTBALL ACADEMY FOR BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS," narrated Mr. Albert Durojaiye, the silent operator behind the great achievers at the Sweden Gothia Cup Tournament Finals last weekend.

Durojaiye went on to explain his experience since then and how he had succeeded in attending the 2005 edition of the competition. Hear him again: "We tried last year, but succeeded only in getting to the final but unable to lift the trophy. Then I was able to notice some lapses in our team.

So, both the technical crew and I got back home and pronto, we went to the drawing boards. Having discovered our faults, we got going and mended all the missing links...and this year, here we are with the Gothia Cup which was won by Coach Samson Siasia and his mates in his younger playing days."

He recounted that his joy cannot be explained but imagined and told nigeriasports.com that, "it was all tears for the Swedes as our girls lifted the trophy.

"You know," Duro recalled, "Norwegian and Swede girls or women play good football even at the Female FIFA World Cup level, you can see that, they are a force to reckon with.

"We are happy and highly elated by this feat. It goes to show that with good monitoring and knowledgeable management, our coaches can attain higher heights in the world."