By; VINCENT AKINBAMI, Kaduna
The proprietor of Abdul Babes FC Kaduna, one of the most visible grassroots teams in 80s and 90s in Kaduna, Alhaji Abdulmumin Salau was honoured by some of the boys he managed with a friendly match between Abdul Babes players of the 90s and the 90’s players of Juventus of Kaduna.
The match which was played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, saw Abdul Babes beat Juventus 3- 2.
The match featured the likes of Sunday Adole former Golden Eaglet, who also played for Ranchers Bees Football Club of Kaduna, VIP Insurance of Lagos, Nigerdocks of Lagos, Jasper FC, NiTEL FC, Wadi Degla and Wisla in Poland, Nuhu Thomas who played for Grays International, Jasper FC and Kaduna United, Oludare Ezekiel who played for Grays International, Nasarawa United, ASko De Kara of Togo and El Merek of Sudan and Abdulrahaman Ahmed who stared for clubs like NIPOST Kaduna, Mighty Works Kaduna, Eagle Cement, Dolphins and presently the secretary of Rivers United.
It also featured Olufemi Adehinle in action. Femi played for Kaduna Rocks, NUB, Stationary Stores and Zamfara United, not forgetting Shehu Musa who from Abdul Babes, played for Kaduna Academicals and later Trade Bombers Abuja.
The novelty match brought together old friends to celebrate their benefactor.
After the match, some of the players eulogized their mentor, Alh Abdulmumin Salau.
Sunday Adole described him as an angel. According to Adole, “he ensured our kits were in order, he practically took us from our parents and built a tomorrow for us”.
In his remarks, Oludare Ezekiel said when people talk about destiny helpers, Alh Abdulmumin Salau is one.
“Some of us would have been a menace to the society, but he ensured he captured our attention with football.
He was a good man, he used his team Abdul babes to produce a lot of stars for the Nigeria league,” he said.
Meanwhile, all the players agreed to come together every year to celebrate him for the role he played in moulding a bright future for them.
