C.O.D United Football Club
 | |||
| Full name | C.O.D United Football Club of Lagos | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The White Lions | ||
| Founded | 2007 | ||
| Ground | Onikan Stadium, Lagos | ||
| Capacity | 20, 000 | ||
| Chief Executive | Shola Opaleye | ||
| Manager | Okey Emordi[1] | ||
| League | Nigerian National League | ||
| 2016 |
| ||
| Website | Club home page | ||
|
| |||
C.O.D United Football Club, CUFC, is a Nigerian professional football club based in Lagos south-west Nigeria, that plays in the Nigerian National Football League (NNL), the second tier of Nigerian football. Founded in 2007, the club plays its home games at the Onikan Stadium, Formerly known as the King George IV Stadium. The traditional club crest is a white lion, referred to in the team's nickname "The White Lions". C.O.D United's traditional kit consists of white shirts, red shorts and white socks.
In May 2013, the team won the Lagos State FA Cup, the youngest team to ever win it, in doing so, qualified for the Nigerian Federations Cup. The club also has a long standing partnership with Bolton Wanderers FC of England, a deal signed when the English were still campaigners in the Barclays Premiership.
History
C.O.D United FC was formed in September, 2007 and started from the City of David parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos, Nigeria. The club started life in the Amateur Division III in 2007/2008 and immediately gained promotion to play in Amateur Division II in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, CUFC played in Amateur Division I and are currently playing in the Nigerian National Division 1, looking to gain promotion to the premiership in 2013. The club on its first major trophy in 2013 by winning the prestigious Lagos State FA Cup, defeating M.F.M FC of Lagos.
The club in March 2016 appointed former 3SC, Bukola Babes and Sharks of Port Harcourt coach Festus Allen as manager of the first team and former Super Falcons captain and manager Eucharia Uche as manager of C.O.D United Amazons, the club's Ladies team. C.O.D United's first team will campaign in the Nigerian National League (NNL) hoping to gain promotion to the NPFL while its teams in the academy will campaign in various cup competitions. Its female team, C.O.D Ladies will defend their Lagos FA Cup title and also campaign in the female professional league. Altogether, with its 143 players, C.O.D United teams are planned to play 240 matches in 2016. [2]
Club Structure
CUFC is the only club that in Nigeria that runs a structure of 6 football teams; U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16, U-21, and First team. A Technical Director oversees the entire football structure while the various have designated coaches. The Head Coach of the first team is responsible for the training, selection of players as well as overall results of the first team.
Achievements (On Pitch)
In 2007: • C.O.D United was established. In 2008: • Played in the National Amateur III League. In 2009: • Played in the National Amateur II League. • Won the Lagos Divisional Oba Cup competition In 2010: • Played in the National Amateur II league for a second season. In 2011: • Played in the National Amateur I League. • Finalist in the Lagos Challenge (Federation) Cup • Represented Lagos State in the 2010/2011 National Federation Cup In 2012: • Played in the Nigerian National League Division 1 • U-16s participated 2012 IBER Cup in Lisbon Portugal • U-16s won the National U-17 Football Tournament • U-16s won silver at the 2012 Eko Festival Youth Tournament • U-12s won bronze at the 2012 Eko Festival Youth Tournament In 2013: Became the youngest team to win the Lagos State FA Cup. In 2013: • Currently playing in the Nigerian National League Division 1
Achievements (Off Pitch)
In 2007: • C.O.D United was established. In 2009: • Recorded the first HD documentary of C.O.D United In 2010: • Opened the first online merchandising store[1 1] • Published the first club newspaper In 2011: • Youth development partnership with Bolton Wanderers Football Club, UK[1 2] • Started the C.O.D United Soccer School[1 3] • Set up the Reserves and U-16 teams • Started the C.O.D United membership loyalty scheme In 2012: • Set up the U-14, U-12 and U-10 teams, a full blown football academy • Started the feeding of the first 200 fans at all home games • Started the giving of a motorcycle to one lucky fan at all home games • 3 players were called to join the National U-20 team • The Only Nigerian club to exhibit at the 2012 Soccerex Conference in Lagos • Commenced C.O.D United online TV. CUtv. In 2013: • Commenced C.O.D United online TV. CUtv. • Commenced our Hospitality Suite at Home Matches
Current squad
- As of 1 May 2013
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
Technical crew
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Director of Football |  ----- |
| Team Manager | Festus Allen |
| Assistant First Team Manager | Kazeem Alabi |
| U-21 Coach | Kazeem Alabi |
| U-16 Coach | Charles Gbenro |
| U-14 Coach | Casmir Nwogu |
| U-12 Coach | Sunday Ilevbare |
| Goalkeeping coach | Olayinka Tunde |
| Assistant Technical Director | Victor Akinmoyo |
| Head, Non Technical Football | Ayodeji Adegbenro |
References
- ↑ Tunde, Sulaimon. "Opaleye-With the right structures, clubs can prosper in Nigeria". ThisDay. Retrieved August 2012.
- ↑ Tunde, Sulaimon. "Seven C.O.D United youngsters leave for Bolton Wanderers". ThisDay Newspapers. Retrieved September 2012.
- ↑ Tana, Aiyejana. "C.O.D United-Speading youth football gospel". The Punch. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
External links
- ↑ http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/17192/nigerian-lower-leagues/2016/04/14/22379882/coach-okey-emordi-joins-cod-united?ICID=SP_HN_1
- ↑ Arthur Bueze (6 March 2016). "COD United FC ready for new 2015/2016 NNL season, presents squad and coaches". Arthurbueze. Retrieved 5 March 2016.