3 Nigerians Who Maintain Soccer Clubs in Europe

In football, ownership plays a vital characteristic in shaping the destiny of clubs. Currently, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the President and Chief Govt of Dangote Staff, expressed his regret for now now not purchasing Arsenal FC, one in every of the Premier League’s most famed clubs. 

Dangote mentioned in an interview that the chance to aquire Arsenal when it used to be valued at spherical $2 billion had handed, as he selected to invest his sources into his refinery project instead.

This shows the growing interest amongst Nigerian entrepreneurs in owning football clubs, both in Europe and in the neighborhood. Listed right here are a kind of prominent Nigerians who have made vital strides in European football membership ownership.

Kunle Soname – Owner of C.D. Feirense, Portugal, and Remo Stars, Nigeria

Kunle Soname is a multifaceted individual known for his roles as a flesh presser, entrepreneur, and sports enthusiast. He is the chairman of Bet9ja, a most in vogue betting online page he primarily based in 2013. Soname’s passion for football led him to carry out larger his influence past Nigeria.

In 2015, Soname purchased C.D. Feirense, a football membership primarily primarily based in Portugal. This acquisition marked a vital step in his tear as a football membership proprietor in Europe. 

Below his ownership, C.D. Feirense has aimed to beef up its location in Portuguese football, leveraging his business acumen to toughen the membership’s operations and competitiveness.

Reduction in Nigeria, Soname primarily based Remo Stars Soccer Membership in 2004, originally is mostly known as FC DENDER. He relocated the membership from Lagos Command to the Remo scheme of Ogun Command, where it competes in the Nigerian Premier League’s High Division. Moreover, Soname is the founding father of ValueJet, a deepest Nigerian airline

Shola Akinlade – Aarhus Fremad, Denmark and Sporting Lagos FC, Nigeria

Shola Akinlade is most reasonable most likely is mostly known as the co-founder and CEO of Paystack, a leading fee processing firm that used to be obtained by Stripe. Beyond his achievements in the tech industry, Akinlade has made vital investments in football, demonstrating his passion for the sport.

Akinlade owns Aarhus Fremad, a Danish football membership primarily primarily based in Aarhus, Denmark. In 2022, he obtained a 55 percent stake in the membership, making him the majority proprietor. 

Aarhus Fremad, which competes in the 2nd division of the Danish League, has been working in opposition to securing promotion to the principle division. Below Akinlade’s management, the membership has centered on improving its financial balance and performance, aiming to climb increased in the league standings.

In the identical Three hundred and sixty five days, Akinlade primarily based Sporting Lagos FC, a football membership primarily primarily based in Lagos, Nigeria. This membership competes in the Nigeria Nationwide League and serves as a sister membership to Aarhus Fremad. 

The establishment of Sporting Lagos FC used to be a strategic circulation to bridge Nigerian capacity with European football markets, providing opportunities for Nigerian players to showcase their skills on a bigger stage.

Earlier than Akinlade’s involvement, Aarhus Fremad used to be facing financial difficulties, with the membership reporting a two million kroner loss over the earlier two years. His investment has been pivotal in stabilizing the membership’s finances and fostering a prepare of whisper and success.

Dorothy Nneka Ede – Lusitano Ginásio Clube, Portugal

Dorothy Nneka Ede is the principle Nigerian lady to offer a football membership in Europe. She is the proprietor of Lusitano Ginásio Clube, on the entire is mostly known as Lusitano de Évora, a ancient football membership primarily primarily based in Évora, Portugal.

Ede took ownership of Lusitano Ginásio Clube in June 2020. The membership, which has a effectively off history spanning over 110 years, competes in the Campeonato de Portugal, the fourth-tier league in the Portuguese football system. 

Lusitano de Évora has aimed to climb the ranks of Portuguese football, striving to circulation up from the lower divisions and gain increased recognition under her management,

The membership plays its home matches at Estádio ruin Lusitânia in Lourosa, a stadium with a capacity of 10,000 individuals. Ede’s ownership has centered on improving the membership’s infrastructure, enhancing its aggressive edge, and fostering a solid sense of neighborhood and pride amongst its supporters.

Dorothy Nneka Ede’s fulfillment is a vital milestone, now now not accurate for Nigerian women in sports management nonetheless also for the broader illustration of Nigerians in European football. Her dedication to Lusitano Ginásio Clube underscores the growing influence of Nigerian entrepreneurs in the world football arena.