Gunners Link FC

🔥 | 1XCUP Nigeria 2024 Finals Recap! ⚽

There are moments in football that stay etched in memory — not just for the scoreline, but for the story behind the journey. ✨

Picture this: the floodlights at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, the electric roar of fans echoing across the stands, and two determined teams — Gunners Link FC and FC Bethel Sporting — locking horns in a battle for glory. 🏟️

It was more than just a final — it was a celebration of grit, teamwork, and the heart of grassroots football.

Though the final whistle saw FC Bethel edge out a 2–1 victory to clinch the 1XBET Cup Nigeria 2024 and the ₦10 million grand prize, Gunners Link FC walked away as proud 2nd place winners, earning ₦5,000,000 and the respect of fans nationwide. 🏆💛🧡

From the first whistle of the tournament, Gunners Link FC proved to be a force to reckon with — displaying tactical brilliance, teamwork, and unshakeable spirit across 20 thrilling weeks of football action.

Here’s a look back at our unforgettable run:

⚽ First Round Knockout:

Gunners Link FC 2 - 0 Lagos Athletics FC
A confident start that set the tone.

⚽ Second Round Knockout:

Gunners Link FC 1 - 0 Elite Stars FC
Another clean victory that secured our group stage berth.

⚽ Group Stage Highlights:

Matchday 2: Eleven Football Academy 1 - 2 Gunners Link FC
Matchday 7: Gunners Link FC 1 - 1 Wasola FC
Matchday 10: Gunners Link FC 1 - 1 G12 Football Club
Matchday 13: FC Bethel Sporting 1 - 2 Gunners Link FC

Proving consistency, focus, and drive.

⚽ Quarter-Finals:

Gunners Link FC 1 - 0 Collins Edwin Sports Club
A solid defensive performance leading to the semis.

⚽ Semi-Finals:

Gunners Link FC 6 - 5 Emaljus FC (Penalties)
What a thriller! A display of nerves of steel and passion that sealed our place in the grand finale.

Although the final didn’t go our way, the journey itself was the victory. Every pass, tackle, goal, and cheer told a story — the story of a team built on resilience, discipline, and unity.

This milestone reflects not just football excellence but our unwavering commitment to grassroots football development in Nigeria. 🇳🇬⚽

Special thanks to 1XBET Nigeria for their continuous support of local talent and for creating a platform where dreams meet opportunity. 🙏

And to our incredible fans — your chants, your energy, your faith — you are the heartbeat of Gunners Link FC! 💛🧡

Here’s to more growth, more passion, and more victories ahead.

Because at Gunners Link FC, the fire never fades — it only burns brighter. 🔥⚽💪

PUBLIC NOTICE

Clarification on Misrepresentation: Gunners Link FC Has No Affiliation with “Community Gunners FC”

LAGOS, Nigeria — The management of Gunners Link FC wishes to categorically state that the club has no affiliation, partnership, or connection whatsoever with any team known as Community Gunners FC.

It has come to our attention that the name “Community Gunners FC” has recently appeared in communication and listings related to the ongoing and upcoming grassroots competitions, including the 1XCUP Nigeria 2025.

This is to make it absolutely clear that Gunners Link FC is a distinct and independently registered football club. We are not in any way associated with the said Community Gunners FC.

We therefore urge organizers, media houses, sponsors, and football stakeholders to take note of this clarification and ensure that proper representation is maintained in all official documents, match fixtures, and public communications.

At Gunners Link FC, we remain committed to our mission of developing young talents through discipline, dedication, and determination — values that continue to guide our journey in Nigerian grassroots football.

For all official matters, kindly direct inquiries to our verified communication channels below.

With best regards,

Chikezie Martins Anosike
Chairman/CEO
Gunners Link FC

📞 0705 615 4679 | 0802 688 3004

Nigerian Grassroots Football in Spotlight After 1XCUP Mix-Up

LAGOS (AP) — Confusion erupted in Nigeria’s grassroots football community after a surprising twist in the build-up to the 1XCUP Nigeria 2025, when Community Gunners FC was listed as a participant in Group A — mistakenly identified as last season’s finalists.

The real finalists? Gunners Link FC, a Lagos-based club that fought its way to the 2024 final against all odds, only to finish runners-up behind FC Bethel Sporting.

Yet, in this year’s official draw, Gunners Link FC appeared to vanish — replaced by a team that did not feature in last season’s competition.

The twist has left football enthusiasts puzzled.

“There are more questions than answers,” sports broadcasting pioneer Dr. Larry Izamoje might have said — a phrase that captures the air of mystery surrounding the switch.

The Discrepancy

On June 30, the 1XCUP Nigeria page confirmed four automatic qualifiers:

📌 FC Bethel Sporting

📌 Gunners Link FC

📌 Emaljus FC

📌 Emiloju FC

Barely a week later, Alhaji Jimoh Musiliu Alao reaffirmed those same four teams. But when the group-stage draw was released, Community Gunners FC — not Gunners Link FC — appeared in Group A alongside 36 Lions FC, Collins Edwin Sports Club, Africano FA, and Nath Boys FA.

This has fueled speculation:

👉🏽 Did Gunners Link FC withdraw voluntarily?

👉🏽 Was there an unannounced reshuffle?

👉🏽 Could Community Gunners FC be a rebrand or proxy for Gunners Link FC?

👉🏽Or is this a case of administrative roulette?

The management of Gunners Link FC has now issued a firm clarification: the club is not affiliated with Community Gunners FC in any way.

Who Are Gunners Link FC?

🎯 Founded in 2021, Gunners Link FC has quickly become a beacon of grassroots soccer development in Lagos. Operating out of the Femi Gbajabiamila Mini Stadium in Surulere, the club is anchored on the values of Discipline, Determination, and Dedication.

🎯 With 35 players—98% Nigerian—and a tactical emphasis on the 4-3-3 formation, the team trains four times a week under a professional technical bench led by Chief Coach Adefila Fatai Careca.

Their record is impressive:

📌 2021 – Winners, Greensports Grassroot & Education Development Soccer Tournament

📌 2022 – Winners, RIO Cup; Runners-Up, Commander’s Cup

📌 2023 – Runners-Up, Greensports Grassroot Tournament

📌 2024 – Runners-Up, Coker Aguda Ultimate Cup; Runners-Up, 1XCUP Nigeria

📌 2024 – Winners, Greensports Grassroot Tournament

Why It Matters

This misrepresentation is more than a clerical error. In grassroots football, identity, credibility, and history matter. Clubs like Gunners Link FC fight for recognition, sponsorships, and opportunities to showcase talent on bigger stages. A mix-up of this magnitude risks not only public confusion but also misdirected sponsorship and scouting opportunities.

The club’s management has urged media houses, sponsors, and football enthusiasts to ensure accurate representation going forward.

Bottom Line

Grassroots football remains the heartbeat of Nigeria’s sporting future. For transparency, growth, and trust to flourish, administrative clarity is non-negotiable.

As the 1XCUP Nigeria 2025 continues, all eyes will be on the pitch — but off the pitch, one lingering question remains:

How did Gunners Link FC’s name disappear from the draw?

📞 For press inquiries: 0705 615 4679 | 0802 688 3004

Big shout out to my newest top fans! Yusiif Bamidele, Obieje Chima, Chibuzor Geoffrey Osigwe, Stanley Egenti, Hammed Azeez, Musa Muhammed Shina, Yusiif Bamidele, Anosike Stanley

🏆 Gunners Link FC Triumphs in the 3rd Edition of the GGED Tournament! ⚽

Yesterday, at the spectacular Femi Gbajabiamila Mini Stadium, Coker Aguda, Surulere, Gunners Link FC made history once again by defeating Rivas FC 2-0 to claim the 2024 Greensports Grassroot & Education Development (GGED) Football Tournament trophy. The event, aptly tagged "Agility No Be Perfume", saw the Gunners rise to the occasion with stellar performances.

The Gunners, who were runners-up in the previous edition, secured victory with goals from Kassim Shobanke in each half of the match, showcasing their unwavering strength and resilience. With this win, they proved their dominance in the tournament, mirroring their first triumph in 2021.

Congratulations to Gunners Link FC for their well-deserved victory and for continuing to raise the bar in grassroots football development! 👏⚽

A New Dawn for the Team in 2025! 🚀⚽

As we look ahead to 2025, the team is poised for an exciting transformation that will pave the way for greater achievements. Here’s what fans can expect as we build on our core values and aim for higher goals:

1️⃣ A Fresh Start for Greater Goals: 2025 will usher in a new look for the team, focused on improvement and consolidating our strengths. We’ll tackle areas where we had lapses in the past, ensuring that we maximize our potential and elevate our game.

2️⃣ Evolution in Playing Style: While we’ll continue with our signature style of play, expect a more refined approach — smarter, faster, and more dynamic. The injection of new players in key positions will create healthy competition within the squad, pushing everyone to reach their best.

3️⃣ Broader Confidence & Exposure: The team’s strategy is designed to enhance broader perceptions, foster confidence, and expose players to greater opportunities on both a local and global stage.

4️⃣ Core Values at the Heart of Our Play: As always, the essence of our game will be grounded in the core values we stand for: Tenacity of Purpose, and the principles of the Triple D — Discipline, Dedication, and Determination.

The future is bright, and with these values driving us, we’re ready to take on the challenges of 2025 and beyond. Together, we rise! 🌟

- Stanley Egenti (Team Manager)

The 3rd Edition of the COMMANDER'S CUP 2024: Quarter Final Showdown! ⚽🏆

The excitement is building as we head into the Quarter Finals of the COMMANDER'S CUP 2024! This Monday, December 16th, Gunners Link FC will face off against Peter Rufai FC in what promises to be an unforgettable match.

📅 Date: Monday, December 16, 2024

🕒 Time: 3:00 PM

📍 Venue: Signals Operations Command Football Pitch, Mile 2, Ajegunle, Lagos

Both teams are ready to bring their A-game, with the stakes higher than ever. With passionate fans and fierce competition, this is one match you won’t want to miss!

Let’s rally behind Gunners Link FC as they aim to advance to the next round of the tournament. See you at the pitch! ⚽🔥

🚀 Agility No Be Perfume – A Mindset, A Journey, A Victory! ⚽

The 3rd Edition of the Greensports Grassroot & Education Development (GGED) Football Tournament 2024 is in full swing, and the theme "Agility No Be Perfume" couldn’t be more fitting! 💥

In football and in life, true success isn’t about looking good; it’s about hard work, determination, and agility under pressure. Teams like Gunners Link FC, who secured their place in the quarter-finals, are living proof of this mantra. Agility on the field is what makes the difference between winning and losing, and GGED 2024 is showcasing the incredible power of this mindset at every turn.

As we continue to celebrate grassroots sports and the development of young athletes, let’s remember that agility, both mentally and physically, is the key to overcoming any challenge.

Let’s keep pushing boundaries and showing that Agility No Be Perfume—it’s the real deal! 💪

🚨 : Gunners Link FC Secures Quarter-Final Spot in the 2024 GGED Football Tournament 🚨

Gunners Link FC have successfully secured their place in the quarter-finals of the 3rd Edition of the Greensports Grassroot & Education Development (GGED) Football Tournament 2024, proudly tagged "Agility No Be Perfume."

After a thrilling start to the tournament, Gunners Link FC showed remarkable resilience. In their first game, they triumphed over LOF FC 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw at full time. The momentum continued as they followed up with a solid 2-1 victory against ATLANTA FA in their second match from the Coker Zone.

This marks a fantastic achievement for the team, especially considering their runner-up finish in the 2nd edition of the tournament. Gunners Link FC are now setting their sights on the quarter-finals, where they will aim to go even further.

💥 Onward to Victory! 💥

🎉 Gunners Link FC Progress to Quarterfinals in the 2024 Commanders Cup! ⚽

What a thrilling match! Gunners Link FC have secured their spot in the quarterfinals of the 3rd Edition of the Commanders Cup 2024 after a dramatic encounter with Success FC.

Despite being down 1-0 at halftime, Gunners Link FC fought back valiantly in the second half, with Kassim Shobanke scoring the equalizer to make it 1-1.

After a tense finish, the game was decided by penalties, and Gunners Link FC triumphed 4-2 to eliminate Success FC and advance to the next stage. Well done to the team for their resilience and determination!

On to the quarterfinals! 🔥💪

🚨 Exciting News: 3rd Edition of the COMMANDER'S CUP 2024 - Round of 16 Fixture! 🚨

Get ready for some thrilling football action as Gunners Link FC takes on Success FC in the highly anticipated Round of 16 match of the COMMANDER'S CUP 2024!

🔹 Road to the Round of 16:

Gunners Link FC:

1st leg: Gunners Link FC 2 - 0 Oscar Rovers FC

2nd leg: Oscar Rovers FC 0 - 0 Gunners Link FC

Success FC:

1st leg: Success FC 1 - 1 Qido FC

2nd leg: Qido FC 2 - 1 Success FC

📍 Venue: Signals Operations Command Football Pitch, Mile 2, Ajegunle, Lagos

📅 Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2024

🕒 Time: 3:00 PM

Mark your calendars and don’t miss out on what promises to be an intense, high-energy match as these two teams battle it out for a spot in the next stage! ⚽🔥