Suraj Oyewale, a businessman from Lagos known as Sir J (J9) among his followers, recently organized a community football match for his social media fans. The match was organized in response to a lively discussion on X (formerly Twitter), where followers joked about Oyewale’s football skills and the ability of his team, which was humorously dubbed a group of “electricians and carpenters.”
As a passionate football enthusiast and recreational player, Oyewale decided to host the match to prove his football abilities and showcase that his team is extremely capable, despite not being professionally trained. The game, which took place last Saturday, was organized by Dynasty Africa, a marketing agency, and involved a face-off between Instagram and X influencers. In the end, the X team won by a close score of 5-4, ending the game on a high note.
Last Monday, Oyewale made a challenge to his opponents through his X handle. He asked them to create a team from his social media following, excluding professional footballers, to play against his team. The challenge was straightforward yet bold: if the opponent team beat his team, they would win N5 million. The challenge quickly gained popularity, with Oyewale announcing that he would transfer the prize money to a “Twitter person of high standing” the day before the match to ensure its availability.
Oyewale laid out specific conditions for the contest. Players must be his followers or have engaged with his football-related posts in the past. The match was scheduled to take place on 27th April at 3 pm at Campos Stadium on Lagos Island. Michael Oyiga was announced as the coordinator for the challenging team, and spectators were invited to witness the event.
This unique event has not only captured the attention of Oyewale’s online community, but it has also highlighted his multifaceted personality. Oyewale, a First-Class Economics graduate from Obafemi Awolowo University, is the founder of Jarus Homes and Jarus FC. He has authored four books on various professional subjects. His followers often engage with him about his goal-scoring skills and on-field performances, making his engagement in recreational football well-known.
Oyewale’s team, called Jarus Plumbers FC, is participating in a playful challenge. However, their past performance shows that they are not very good at winning, having lost twice on their home ground. This acknowledgement by Oyewale has added an interesting aspect to the challenge. Despite his team’s lack of formal training, he is confident in their abilities against a hastily assembled opponent.
