Osun United winger Naheem Odugbemi lit up the Nigeria National League with a sensational second-half goal that sealed a 2–0 victory over Godswill Akpabio FC, ending the Gladiators’ recent winless streak. The goal, Odugbemi’s first of the season, followed Samuel Udor’s 20th-minute opener and helped Osun United regain momentum in their playoff push.
Udor, standing in for the injured Emmanuel Essien, opened the scoring with a composed finish, but it was Odugbemi’s strike that stole the show. After the final whistle, a visibly emotional Odugbemi dedicated the goal to his late father, calling the moment “unforgettable” and adding, “This one’s for my dad.”
The win was a crucial morale booster for coach Seye Ajayi’s side as they look ahead to a tough weekend clash against ABS FC of Ilorin. With Odugbemi finding form and confidence, Osun United are hoping to string together a series of results that could solidify their place in the playoff zone.
Editorial
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Sometimes, football delivers more than points it delivers healing. For Naheem Odugbemi, his wonder strike against Godswill Akpabio FC was more than a goal—it was a tribute, a release, a promise fulfilled. Dedicating your first professional goal to a late parent is a deeply emotional gesture, and in doing so, Naheem reminded us all of the humanity that underpins this game.
Beyond the sentiment, the timing couldn’t have been better. Osun United needed this win like oxygen. The team had been flirting with mid-table mediocrity, and morale was dipping. But now, with the weight of that drought lifted, the Gladiators look renewed and Odugbemi might just be the spark that lights a new fire.
The challenge now is to turn this one-off moment into a movement. Naheem has shown he can make headlines; now he must make consistency his calling card. And for Osun United, the road to the playoffs just got a lot more hopeful.
Did You Know?
- Osun United’s last multi-goal win before this fixture was in February, during a 3-1 home victory in the NNL Southern Conference.
- Naheem Odugbemi was converted from a striker to a winger during his youth days with an Osogbo-based academy.
- The club’s nickname “Gladiators” was adopted in 2017 to symbolise their fighting spirit in league and cup competitions.
- Coach Seye Ajayi previously worked with Kwara United’s U-17 development team before joining Osun United’s senior setup.
- Osun United’s promotion push in 2018 fell short by just three points, marking one of the narrowest misses in recent NNL history.
