Former Super Eagles Goalie Dele Aiyenugba Features in Value Jet Pre-season Cup

Former Super Eagles Goalie Dele Aiyenugba Features in Value Jet Pre-season Cup

By Gbenga Gboyega

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Bamidele Mathew Aiyenugba made a nostalgic appearance for his boyhood club Kwara United at the ongoing ValueJet pre-season cup held in Ikenne, Ogun State, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The 39-year-old shot-stopper's appearance for Kwara United is his second stint at the club after spending two seasons with the Ilorin-based side over two decades ago, between 1998 and the year 2000.

His arrival then, will coincide with when Kwara was experiencing a paradigm shift in administration and branding as a new state government led by Colonel Peter Asum Ogar led the purchase of the club a year prior in March 1997.

Kwara Waters as they were previously called suffered financial stress, which culminated in her relegation to division three in 1996, but the new take-over moved the club from the Exide Club of Ibadan to Ilorin, taking their slot in the Second Division. 

Ogar then christened the new outfit Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin from Kwara Water Corporation Football Club, after which Aiyenugba signed for Kwara United a year later.

He moved from Kwara to Enyimba in 2001 where he won four Nigeria Premier League titles in his six-year stint while bagging two CAF Champions League titles and Super Cups.

After 13 seasons in Israel with four teams - Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv F.C, Hapoel Ashkelon F.C, Hapoel Iksal F.C, and Hapoel Afula F.C, Dele returned to Nigeria ahead of the 2020-21 season for a second stint at Kwara United.

Fast forward to 2023, the veteran shot-stopper is experiencing a generational transition as he also had the opportunity to watch his son - Daniel Aiyenugba feature for Remo Stars Academy - Beyond Limits FA.

Daniel Aiyenugba also made his father proud by bagging the Man of the Match award in the club's 2-0 win over Abia Warriors earlier today in the Value Jet Cup, while smiling to the bank with the N100k monetary prize.

Bamidele also enjoyed accolades of his own while featuring for Kwara United against Sporting Lagos as he bagged a clean sheet with both sides playing out a stalemate after 90 minutes.

Like father like son, the Nigeria Premier League continues to produce nostalgic moments the fans will always love to savor.