TEN Footy, Akure (2026)

12/02/2026

José Mourinho once said:
“If you want to control a game, you put John Obi Mikel on the pitch."

When Mourinho wanted to kill a game,
he brought on Mikel.

They called him “The Human Full-Time Whistle.”

John Obi Mikel spent 11 years at Chelsea.
And in that time, he won everything.

League titles.
Cups.
European trophies.

He wasn’t flashy.
He barely ever scored.
No highlights. No hype.

But his value lived in the quiet moments.

Positioning.
Discipline.
Control.

And then came 2012.

Champions League Final.
Away in Munich.
Against Bayern.

Chaos everywhere.

Mikel?
Ice cold.

He played the game of his life.
Intercepting.
Shielding.
Resetting the tempo again and again.

While others scrambled,
he stayed calm.

Originally an attacking midfielder,
he sacrificed his instincts
for the good of the team.

No complaints.
No ego.

Just service.

Some players chase glory.
Others make glory possible.

John Obi Mikel was the latter.

A loyal servant.
A tactical weapon.
A quiet winner.

12/01/2026

🚨 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐄 𝐆𝐎! Tottenham agree €𝟒𝟎𝐦 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥 to sign Conor Gallagher from Atlético 🤍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

After Aston Villa agreed terms with Atléti, Gallagher’s preference goes to Spurs… as Villa have left the race.

Tottenham will pay €10m more than Villa, initially done verbally for €30m plus add-ons as deal is in place 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

Formal steps to follow but Tottenham entered the race strong as Rodrigo Bentancur will be out for months 👀

𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐍. 🔙🇬🇧

12/01/2026

11/12/2025

It seems someone truly read the open letter to the Ondo State Governor and the Ondo State Football Agency.
After five NNL games, Sunshine Stars now suddenly have new jerseys with names boldly printed at the back. This is a welcome development and a step in the right direction.

This is not about taking credit. It is about the power of accountability, constructive criticism and speaking up for the growth of our club. When we highlight issues respectfully, improvements can follow.

But while we acknowledge progress, there are still important areas the club must address:

1. Our Away Form Needs Serious Improvement

We have won both home games since returning to Akure, and that is commendable. But we have not won any away game yet, and that must change if we want to compete seriously.
The State Government and the FA can do more by mobilizing fan support for away games, even if it is a coordinated supporters’ bus or simple matchday incentives. A little push can make a big difference.

2. The Team’s Media and Communication Department Needs Serious Improvement

The digital presentation of a club says a lot about its professionalism.

Posting a video labelled “match highlights” only to show player arrival and warm up, with poor video quality, is far below standard.

Updates are inconsistent. Fans hardly get pre match, in match, or post match communication.

And the recent case of copying another club’s picture post template is embarrassing. Sunshine Stars should set standards, not imitate rivals.

A club of this stature deserves intentional communication, quality content, and proper fan engagement. Media is not just an extra department; it is the public face of the club.

Progress is Good, But Consistency is Better

Sunshine Stars is a symbol of pride for Ondo State. Today, we applaud improvement. But we also demand consistency, professionalism, and transparency across all departments.

We will continue to speak up, not to condemn, but to ensure the club grows into the reputable brand it should be.

Sunshine Stars, onwards and upwards.
TEN Footy
Oluwadare Oluwaseyi

Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa
Allen Sowore
Ondo State Forum!
Oluwadare Oluwaseyi Emmanuel

04/12/2025

🇳🇬 Ekong’s Retirement: Another Player Forced Out By The Same Old NFF Cycle?

William Troost-Ekong announced his retirement from the Super Eagles today and for many of us watching closely, this feels bigger than “injuries” or “next generation talk.”

This looks like another chapter in a familiar Nigerian football story:
Speak up, protest for your rights, clash with the NFF… and suddenly your leadership becomes a problem.

And we’ve seen this movie before.

🔸 Desire Oparanozie

After leading the Super Falcons’ 2019 protest over unpaid bonuses, she was stripped of the captaincy and slowly pushed out of the team. Her “offence”?
Demanding the money the team had already earned.

🔸 Asisat Oshoala

Oshoala took over as captain. Three years later, she was also stripped of the armband. The official reason was “poor performance,” but insiders said she had become “too demanding.”
Another case where a player asking for better conditions became the issue, instead of the conditions themselves.

🔸 Now, William Troost-Ekong

Ekong recently led the Super Eagles’ protest over unpaid allowances. Weeks later, he retires.
He spoke about fatigue, but he also made it clear that the system is broken and players are tired of fighting the same old battles.

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⚠️ The Pattern Is Clear

From Oparanozie to Oshoala to Ekong:

Speak up ➝ Become a problem

Demand what is due ➝ Leadership questioned

Stand for teammates ➝ Career takes a hit

This is not coincidence.
This is culture.
This is the NFF.

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🇳🇬 Nigeria is losing leaders because leadership is treated like rebellion.

Until the NFF fixes its attitude towards player welfare, we will keep losing voices that should be shaping our football, not walking away from it.

If Nigeria wants to move forward, we must stop punishing players who love the country enough to demand better for it.

02/12/2025

When Nigerians Become Their Own Problem: The CAF Awards Voting Saga

Sometimes, you dont need outsiders to undermine Nigerian excellence; Nigerians are perfectly capable of doing it themselves. The recent CAF Awards voting is another reminder.

Let us start with what isnt an issue.
Daniel Amokachi placing Osimhen in 5th for African Player of the Year? No problem. Everyone sees football differently.
Samuel Ahmadu rating Esther Okoronkwo 3rd and Ajibade 5th has to be a joke.

But where the confusion begins, and eyebrows rise, is in the Goalkeeper of the Year category.
Samuel Ahmadu ranked Chiamaka Nnadozie 5th. Yes, the same Nnadozie who is not only Africas best by a wide margin, but is performing at a world class level.

Putting her fifth isnt an opinion anymore; it is an agenda. Because no one who watches African womens football sincerely, especially someone close to the Nigerian team, can claim she is the fifth best. Not second, not third… but fifth.

To make things even more suspicious, he also voted the Super Falcons 5th in the National Team of the Year category, a team that went on to win the award.

And then the pattern becomes clear:
Every Nigerian nominee in womens football… ranked fifth.
Three categories. Same number. Same country. Same voter.

CAF says journalists are selected based on expertise, but surely even CAF must be side eyeing this one. How do you watch these players all year and then deliberately place them in the lowest possible position?

Dan Da Bull will always be Dan. He has his quirks, and everyone knows that.

But when people go out of their way to downplay their own, it becomes obvious where the real problem lies. Not abroad. Not in CAF. Not in the system.

The problem, many times, is us.

Because there is no honour in being a contrarian when it is done against merit and common sense.

I rest my case.

01/12/2025

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE ONDO STATE GOVERNMENT AND THE ONDO STATE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Your Excellency, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa,
The Chairman, Ondo State Football Association,

I write this letter as a passionate supporter of Sunshine Stars FC and as someone who was physically present at the team’s recent home game against Gateway FC. While the match itself showed flashes of brilliance and promise, the overall experience revealed deep concerns that deserve urgent attention if we truly desire to restore our footballing pride in Ondo State.

1. A TEAM WITH GREAT POTENTIAL

First, I must commend the team manager and his technical crew. The squad is filled with exciting young talents. Players wearing jerseys 19, 27, 35, 40, 9, 10, 25 and 5 were a delight to watch, showcasing grit, passion, and real potential for the future.

However, the team clearly lacks a central midfielder who can receive the ball under pressure, distribute effectively, and dictate the tempo of play. This gap was evident throughout the match and should be addressed to improve overall balance.

2. A MISSED OPPORTUNITY FOR A TRUE HOMECOMING

Sunshine Stars returned to their home ground after more than two years, a moment that should have been celebrated as a grand homecoming. Sadly, nothing in the stadium reflected this significance. No banners, no announcements, no atmosphere befitting such a milestone. It was a huge letdown for the players who have longed for this moment and for the fans who came expecting a celebration.

3. SUBSTANDARD FACILITIES THAT PUT THE STATE IN BAD LIGHT

I. Poor and Uncovered Substitute Bench

The substitute bench is in a terrible condition, uncovered, uncomfortable, and exposed to the scorching sun. No professional club should subject players and officials to such conditions.

II. Inadequate Seating for Officials

A member of the medical team had to sit on stones or bricks he gathered himself due to lack of proper seating. This is both embarrassing and unacceptable.

III. Lack of Proper Branding and Match Day Presentation

There was no inscription anywhere in the stadium to indicate that an official NNL match was being played. Instead, the only noticeable banners were for the Odatiwa U 17 Tournament. While promoting grassroots football is commendable, it should not overshadow the state’s flagship club on a match day.

IV. No Names on Players Jerseys

In 2025, it is unimaginable that a professional club competing in a national league would field players without names on their jerseys. It affects recognition, scouting, branding, and fan connection.

V. A Stretcher That Should Have Been Discarded Years Ago

The stretcher used on match day was an eyesore, worn, outdated, and unfit for purpose. Player welfare should never be compromised.

4. POLITICIZATION OF TEAM PROPERTIES

The inscription “Aiyedatiwa is Working” boldly placed on the team bus is inappropriate. Public sports institutions should remain politically neutral. Football should unify us, not serve as a campaign message or political advert.

MOVING FORWARD

Your Excellency and the leadership of the Ondo FA, Sunshine Stars is more than just a football club. It is a symbol of pride for millions of Ondo indigenes. The club deserves better. The players deserve better. The fans deserve better.

With just a fraction of proper attention, investment, and administrative discipline, this team can return to being a force in Nigerian football.

I urge you to take these observations seriously and act swiftly. Our footballing culture, our youths, and our state’s reputation depend on it.

Respectfully,
A concerned supporter
Oluwadare Oluwaseyi Emmanuel
TEN Footy

Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa
Allen Sowore
Ondo State Forum!
Wahab Bankole

09/11/2025

Morocco smashed New Caledonia in their U-17 World Cup group stage match and set a new record for the biggest win in the tournaments history 😮🇲🇦

The young Atlas Lions had 79 shots on their way to victory 🤯

Morocco had lost both of their opening games whilst New Caledonia had held group leaders Japan to a 0-0 draw 🫣

..and no, José Mourinho had nothing to do with it, we just don’t have any images from the game 🥹🙏