Football development in Sapele, Delta state from 1980 to date
The development of football in Sapele continued in the late 1980s when some notable youth clubs were formed.
One such club was the KB Stars, which was formed in 1988 and funded solely by KB boss Omatseye. Some notable players who came over from the KB Stars included: Andrew Aikomogbe, Destiny Iyonu (final), Oke Mariere, Femi Coker, and Jerome Ezeoba. Another youth club that gained prominence at the time was the Pedro Estrellas Football Club.
It came into existence in 1988 and produced artists like: Daniel Odedede, Jerome, Ike Ibe and Elvis Eruje. He was under the tutelage of coach Daniel Evumena, former head coach of Falconet and Falcons of Nigeria.
The Golden Stars soccer club was another youth club that rose to prominence in 1988. A notable player to come from their rank was Erivona Idahosa.
Ultimately, the Athletico De Miren football club became a household name in the beautiful city of Sapele during the heyday of grassroots football (1986-1995), and won some national laurels.
They had some talented football players like Godwin Ovieghara, Emmanuel Ovieghara, Martins Ewerebo and Paul Akpokere in their ranks.
The club continued to exist until 1995, when Mr. Larry Kubeinje came to Sapele to introduce football and thus began the birth of Urhiapele FC.
In 1996, Urhiapele FC won the Delta State League to become the first Sapele club to win the trophy since its inception.
The club was able to achieve this remarkable feat as a result of a strong technical bench that was later piloted by head coach Solomon Ovieghara and the efforts of enterprising players such as Faith Igbayo, Elvis Eruje, Ike Ibe, Godwin Ovieghara, Erivona Idahosa, Cyril Emujuagbe. and a multitude of others.
Right after the club won the state league, more than 18 of their players got a professional contract with some Pro League teams in Nigeria.
In 2008, after Delta United of Warri’s relegation from the Pro to the Amateur division, Sapele was given a spot to play in the Amateur division, and this spot was taken over by Okpe United FC of Sapele, which to date remains being the only amateur football club. in Sapele.
There are a few other youth teams to mention that emerged in the 1980s/early 1990s, but never gained much prominence. At the top of the list was Emeka United, then based in Amukpe sapele and under the tutelage of manager Chikodi Onuoha and John Okokoyo. The team brought into the spotlight the enterprising striker, Freeborn Itejeri, who later joined KB Stars and eventually became a key member of the Aba Millionaire club (Enyimba FC) in the 2004-2006 seasons.
However, it is sad to note that all of the Sapele youth clubs have faded into oblivion due to lack of sponsorship from both the public and private sectors and serious administrative failures.
On a bright note, Sapele has the enviable reputation of producing the only FIFA badged referee in the then Bendel state in the person of FIFA Daniel Aghante (Black Arrow).
An ultra-modern 5,000-seat stadium is still under construction and, when completed, will further boost the development of football not only in Sapele, but throughout the state.