C.O.D United football club of Lagos

C.O.D United Football Club of Lagos
Full name C.O.D United Football Club of Lagos
Nickname(s) The White Lions
Founded 2007
Ground Onikan Stadium, Lagos
Capacity 20, 000
Chief Executive Shola Opaleye
Manager Solomon Manasseh
League Nigerian National League
2013 4th
Website Club home page

C.O.D United Football Club, CUFC, is a Nigerian professional football club based in Lagos south-west Nigeria, that plays in the Nigerian National Football League (NNL), the second tier of Nigerian football. Founded in 2007, the club, the club plays its home games at the Onikan Stadium, Formerly known as the King George IV Stadium. The traditional club crest is a white lion, referred to in the team's nickname "The White Lions". C.O.D United's traditional kit consists of white shirts, red shorts and white socks.

In May 2013, the team the won Lagos State FA Cup, the youngest team to ever win it, in doing so, qualified for the Nigerian Federations Cup. The club also has a long standing partnership with Bolton Wanderers FC of England, a deal signed when the English were still campaigners in the Barclays Premiership.

History

C.O.D United was formed in September, 2007 and started from the City of David parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos, Nigeria. The club started life in the Amateur Division III in 2007/2008 and immediately gained promotion to play in Amateur Division II in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, CUFC played in Amateur Division I and are currently playing in the Nigerian National Division 1, looking to gain promotion to the premiership in 2013. The club on its first major trophy in 2013 by winning the prestigious Lagos State FA Cup, defeating M.F.M FC of Lagos.

Club Structure

CUFC is the only club that in Nigeria that runs a structure of 6 football teams; U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16, U-21, and First team. A Technical Director oversees the entire football structure while the various have designated coaches. The Head Coach of the first team is responsible for the training, selection of players as well as overall results of the first team.

Achievements (On Pitch)

In 2007: • C.O.D United was established. In 2008: • Played in the National Amateur III League. In 2009: • Played in the National Amateur II League. • Won the Lagos Divisional Oba Cup competition In 2010: • Played in the National Amateur II league for a second season. In 2011: • Played in the National Amateur I League. • Finalist in the Lagos Challenge (Federation) Cup • Represented Lagos State in the 2010/2011 National Federation Cup In 2012: • Played in the Nigerian National League Division 1 • U-16s participated 2012 IBER Cup in Lisbon Portugal • U-16s won the National U-17 Football Tournament • U-16s won silver at the 2012 Eko Festival Youth Tournament • U-12s won bronze at the 2012 Eko Festival Youth Tournament In 2013: Became the youngest team to win the Lagos State FA Cup. In 2013: • Currently playing in the Nigerian National League Division 1

Achievements (Off Pitch)

In 2007: • C.O.D United was established. In 2009: • Recorded the first HD documentary of C.O.D United In 2010: • Opened the first online merchandising store[1 1] • Published the first club newspaper In 2011: • Youth development partnership with Bolton Wanderers Football Club, UK[1 2] • Started the C.O.D United Soccer School[1 3] • Set up the Reserves and U-16 teams • Started the C.O.D United membership loyalty scheme In 2012: • Set up the U-14, U-12 and U-10 teams, a full blown football academy • Started the feeding of the first 200 fans at all home games • Started the giving of a motorcycle to one lucky fan at all home games • 3 players were called to join the National U-20 team • The Only Nigerian club to exhibit at the 2012 Soccerex Conference in Lagos • Commenced C.O.D United online TV. CUtv. In 2013: • Commenced C.O.D United online TV. CUtv. • Commenced our Hospitality Suite at Home Matches

Current squad

As of 1 May 2013

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
33 Nigeria GK Obasi Roberts Chukwuemeka,
22 Nigeria GK Nwokeji Uche Austin
18 Nigeria GK Aiyeyemi James
2 Nigeria DF Kadhiri Wasiu Abiodun
30 Nigeria DF Olowo Femi
3 Nigeria DF Omishade Michael
5 Nigeria DF Buchi Ogwu
12 Nigeria DF Feyishayo Akinbola
17 Nigeria DF Obinor Chinedu
20 Nigeria DF Maliq Adoza
6 Nigeria DF Chibuike Ohiri
36 Nigeria DF Rafiu Monsuru
14 Nigeria MF Muhammed Jemilu
25 Nigeria MF Omaka Tony
24 Nigeria MF Kingsley Ijeoma
8 Nigeria MF Adebayo Adeyinka
35 Nigeria MF Bankole Afeez
37 Nigeria MF Kingsley Ijeoma
39 Nigeria MF Nnamdi Martins
32 Nigeria MF Godfrey Achugbue
10 Nigeria MF Mohammed Azeez
23 Nigeria MF Tunde Akinsemoyin
15 Nigeria MF Nancel Selboh Tali
28 Nigeria FW Monday Joseph
28 Nigeria FW Azuka Okwubor
26 Nigeria FW Olusola Ogundare
40 Nigeria FW Ikedinachi Nwakanma
9 Nigeria FW Tosin John
29 Nigeria FW Ogunleye Ayodeji Adebisi
21 Nigeria FW Ismaila Podoh

Technical crew

Position Name
Director of Football England Mick Wild
Team Manager Nigeria Solomon Manasseh
Assistant First Team Manager Nigeria Kazeem Alabi
U-21 Coach Nigeria Kazeem Alabi
U-16 Coach Nigeria Charles Gbenro
U-14 Coach Nigeria Casmir Nwogu
U-12 Coach Nigeria Sunday Ilevbare
Goalkeeping coach Nigeria Olayinka Tunde
Assistant Technical Director Nigeria Victor Akinmoyo
Head, Non Technical Football Nigeria Ayodeji Adegbenro

References

  1. Tunde, Sulaimon. "Opaleye-With the right structures, clubs can prosper in Nigeria". ThisDay. Retrieved August 2012.
  2. Tunde, Sulaimon. "Seven C.O.D United youngsters leave for Bolton Wanderers". ThisDay Newspapers. Retrieved September 2012.
  3. Tana, Aiyejana. "C.O.D United-Speading youth football gospel". The Punch. Retrieved 12 August 2012.

External links