Nigerian businessman Dozy Mmobuosi has established a new team, named 1472 FC, in Lagos. This new club is expected to compete with teams like Sporting Lagos and Inter Lagos.
A statement from the club reads: “From dreams to reality, from aspirations to achievements, prepare to be mesmerized as we step into the spotlight, weaving a tale of passion, skill, and unyielding determination. Get ready as we unveil our legacy, from dreams to reality, from aspirations to achievements.”
At the unveiling, 1472 FC CEO, Dr Segun Sanni, revealed that the club have their base in Surulere but will play their home matches in the NNL at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan in Lagos pending the completion of renovation at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere. “We will be playing our home matches at the Onikan Stadium but will return to Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere which is our base,” said Sanni.
On the choice of club name, 1472 FC, Sanni explained that it was coined from the year when Portuguese explorer Rui de Sequeira landed in Lagos and named the area near city, Lagos or Lago de Curamo, meaning Lake of Curamo. “We’ve named the club so because a Portuguese explorer gave Lagos that name that year and we feel it is fitting to do so,” he said.
1472 FC have a feeder (youth team) and are working on putting in place a women’s team, according to Sanni. The club has plans to also take off with their academy in January of 2024. Influential persons in Surulere like Actor turned Politician and Lagos House of Assembly member, Honourable Desmond Elliott, Honourable Abiodun Orekoya and Surulere local government chairman, Sulaiman Bamidele Yusuf offered their support for the take-off of 1472 FC.
Elliot said: “It is a good time to have a football club in 1472 FC in Surulere. From inception we have been involved with the plan and it is good to see it come to reality. The club will be run professionally from management to players.” Orekoya said the vision to set the club up in Surulere is good as the town is “home of football in Nigeria.”
Previously, Dozy was close to finalizing a deal to acquire ownership of English football club, Sheffield United for around £115 million. However, the takeover fell apart due to an agreement not being reached.
