Dazzle Football Club has received recognition from the Lagos State Government after making a strong impression at this year’s Dana Cup in Denmark.
The young Nigerian side returned from Hjørring with two medals. Its U-12 squad claimed the championship, while the U-14 team finished second in its category. One of the club’s players, Toheeb Ojerinde, added another honour by being voted the U-14 Most Valuable Player.
Lagos officials hosted the team on Tuesday at the Lagos State Sports Commission headquarters at Teslim Balogun Stadium. Those present included the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, and the Sports Commission’s Director-General, Lekan Fatodu.
Fatodu described the team’s performance as a significant achievement for Lagos and Nigeria, noting that the players had shown what young talents can accomplish when given the chance to compete beyond the country.
He encouraged the youngsters to see their success as more than just a football achievement, saying their performance could motivate other young people across the state to take their talents seriously.
The U-12 squad produced an outstanding record throughout the competition, remaining unbeaten in nine games. The team found the net 56 times and allowed just six goals.
Their journey to the trophy included a 2-1 victory against Brazil’s RS Sports in the last four. In the championship match, they edged Mexico’s IFAC 1-0 following extra time, with Akinremi Abdullahi providing the goal that settled the contest.
Dazzle’s U-14 players also progressed to the final, where they faced Palestine’s Rawahel. After the game ended in a draw, the title was decided through a shootout, with the Palestinian side winning 5-3.
Ojerinde nevertheless finished the tournament on a personal high, earning the U-14 MVP award after helping his side keep three clean sheets across five games.
The Sports Commission said it would continue to provide support for young athletes and grassroots programmes, with the aim of helping more emerging talents develop and compete at higher levels.
Dazzle FC’s performance in Denmark has given Lagos another reason to celebrate its growing pool of young football talents.
