Coach Dare Abiodun has set his sights firmly on winning the 8th Edition of the Ibro‑Peckham Marlians Cup, after having won the maiden edition this time as a coach rather than as a goalkeeper.
Abiodun, now in charge of Sugar FC (Ilepa), led his team to a 2-1 victory over BOCCA FC in their group opener of the competition, with goals from Fowotade Abdullah and Abosede Amos. The coach, who featured as a goalkeeper for the same tournament’s inaugural edition with Ilepa United, commented:
“This is our own Champions League … Sugar Boys will step up their game and progress through.”
He acknowledged the rising competitiveness of the tournament:
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“I don’t think any side is an under-dog now. Everyone has pushed themselves, and we’re not playing under pressure. We will prepare ahead of our next game.”
The 2025 edition of the tournament kicks off in early November with 32 teams competing in Ifo, Ogun State.
Editorial
Grassroots tournaments are often overlooked in the grand narratives of football but it is precisely in these venues that futures are formed, characters forged and legacies begin. In the case of Dare Abiodun, his journey from goalkeeper in the first Ibro-Peckham Cup to coach of a contender in its 8th edition tells us much about ambition, continuity and the subtle persistence of dreams.
Sugar FC’s victory in their opening match may not command national headlines, but its significance is deep. A coach who once stood between the posts now stands behind the team, setting standards and expectations. The transition from player to mentor is never straightforward yet Abiodun navigates it with a clarity of purpose. His acknowledgement of the tournament as their “own Champions League” shows not grandiosity but an appropriate sense of occasion.
What matters now is follow-through. The road from group stage to knockout rounds is littered with complacency, drift and under-preparedness. For Abiodun, the blueprint is clear: build on the win, remain organised, and instil belief. Sugar FC’s task is not just to win matches, but to own the narrative of the tournament turning the promise of victory into the habit of it.
For Nigerian football, this story is emblematic of something larger the ecosystems below the professional leagues matter. They are where coaches grow, players thrive, and cultures of excellence begin. Abiodun’s eyes are on the trophy, yes but his impact may be measured in the young players, the community energy and the club identity that outlives a single campaign.
Did You Know?
- The Ibro-Peckham Marlians Cup 2025 edition features 32 teams, drawn into eight groups of four, with the group stage set to kick off in early November.
- Dare Abiodun was part of the winning team in the inaugural tournament (~2018/19) as a goalkeeper for Ilepa United.
- Sugar FC’s 2-1 win in their opening group match featured goals by Fowotade Abdullah and Abosede Amos.
- The tournament takes place in Ifo, Ogun State, with matches hosted at Nawarudeen Primary School’s ground in Olose Ifo.
- Abiodun emphasised that there are no under-dogs this time, reflecting the rising level and competitive depth of the competition.
