Another talented player discovered through the 2025 Gokana Chairman’s Cup, Happy Lee-Dere, has secured a move to Rivers United Football Club.
Lee-Dere, an explosive and highly skillful winger from Kegbara Dere Community in Gokana Local Government Area, joins Rivers United from Gokana United FC after participating in several scouting programmes within and outside Rivers State.
The Executive Chairman of Gokana Local Government Area, Sir Confidence Nyima Deko, DSSRS, has consistently provided scouting opportunities for players identified during last year’s Chairman’s Cup.
Those efforts are now beginning to yield tangible results as more young talents secure opportunities at top clubs.
Confidence Deko’s football development initiative is designed to create pathways for talented footballers from Gokana to play for leading clubs across Nigeria and abroad.
The Gokana Local Government Council’s sports management team, comprising the Supervisor for Youth and Sports, Hon. Nwile Nloga; Gokana United Team Manager, Coach Tiger Dugbor; Viura Lezigha; and Sunday Sorgia, has been tasked with driving the successful implementation of the project.
Following the successful progression of Popnen Dikoo and now Happy Lee-Dere, more talented footballers from Gokana are expected to benefit from the initiative in the coming years.