FINIDI PICKS ASSISTANT FROM AJEGUNLE
Super Eagles Head Coach, Finidi George has picked Benjamin James as his second assistant.
James a seven-footer was born on December 28, 1970 in Ghana but he grew up in AJEGUNLE, known for the production of football legends.
The list of stars from Ajegunle is inexhaustible. Henry Nwosu, Godwin Obinyan, Sam Nwobum, Tarila Okoronwanta, Samson Siasia, Ayo Ogunlana, Mike Onyemachara, Albert Ekeh, Godwin Ekeh, Odion Ighalo, Peter Nekeitein, Jonathan Akpoborie, Richard Akpoborie, Taiwo Enegwa, Christopher Edem, Benson Ajighevi, Samson Ajighevi, Ikpe Ekong, Alfred Omoefe, Patrick Adjekughele, Patrick Udoh, Timiye James, Monday James, Essien Mbong, Peter Ijeh, Bobolayefa Edon, Victor Obivbi, Christopher Zibor etc.
James hails from Bayelsa State and football runs in his family. His elder brother Timiye James was a goalkeeper who featured for Flying Eagles just like Benjamin. They were fringe players of Green Eagles. Benjamin James was a central defender.
Monday James a member of the Holland 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup silver medal winning team and Beijing 2008 Olympics Games silver medal winning team is a relative of Benjamin and Timiye James.
Benjamin James played for Police Machine where he got his nickname OLOPA from. He played for JIB Rocks of Jos, Stationary Stores FC of Lagos and Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan.
Growing up in Ajegunle, Benjamin James started with a grassroots club called 11 Planners FC. He later joined Apapa Great African Stars (AGAS) at the popular St. Mary’s Catholic Church playground along Orege Cinema Road in Ajegunle.
The appointment of Benjamin James who has been with the youth team of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim since 2005 is indeed a good development especially in the area of boosting grassroots football development.
It would be easier for Finidi to deploy Benjamin James in the area of talent hunt from secondary schools, grassroots clubs and League clubs talking about NPFL, NNL and NLO respectively.
As a product of grassroots football, Benjamin James will surely help in discovering relatively unknown players and turning them into superstars.
Thankfully, Finidi and Benjamin James will be working with Chima Onyeike as fitness trainer of the Super Eagles. Onyeike who is based in Holland is the second appointee by Finidi.
Best wishes to the trio. Congratulations Benjamin James and Chima Onyeike on your appointments.
Let Eagles soar!!!
Ajeeeeeeeegunle!!!
© DESMOND EKWUEME
