Mutiu Adepoju earns Chieftaincy title from Ooni of Ife

Nigeria legend and now La Liga ambassador, Mutiu Adepoju has been conferred with an ancestral chieftaincy title by the Ooni of Ife.

The former midfielder was installed as the Asoju Amuludun Oodua title in a luxury event held on Friday in Ile-Ife.

His Imperial Eminence and Adimula of Yorubaland, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, said the honorary chieftaincy title is in recognition of his exploits in the beautiful game.

After making his debut in 1990, the “Headmaster” as popularly called was with the senior national team of Nigeria for 12 years.

He won the AFCON with Nigeria in Tunisia in 1984 and was part of the squad for the FIFA World Cups in 1994, 1998, and 2002.

Known for his stunning goal as the Super Eagles recorded a 3–2 victory over Spain at the 1998 World Cup, the “Headmaster” came up through the youth ranks.

His three-goal feat at the FIFA U20 World Cup held in Saudi Arabia helped the Flying Eagles finish as runners-up at the global football showpiece.

At club level, Adepoju played in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, and Spain before his retirement in 2006.

“I count it a big honour getting recognized by one of the greatest monarchs in the world, the Adimula of Yorubaland,” Adepoju, who was in the company of his beautiful wife Bimpe, told Soccernet.

“This means a lot to me and my family and all I can only promise that I will not be found wanting in fulfilling the obligations that accompany the title.”