Ibrahim “Selica” Adewale credits Samuel Olatunji Okuku, Tripple 44 for his rise as he scores on Mjällby AIF debut

Nigerian forward Ibrahim Adewale, fondly known as “Selica,” has attributed his remarkable rise in European football to the guidance, structure, and belief of Samuel Olatunji Okuku, founder of Tripple 44 Football Academy, alongside the academy’s technical and management team.

The 19-year-old striker marked the beginning of a new chapter in emphatic fashion, scoring on his debut for Swedish champions Mjällby AIF in a commanding 4–0 victory over Kalmar FF in a preseason friendly. Adewale’s goal, scored in the 82nd minute, capped a dominant performance by the reigning Allsvenskan champions and underlined his readiness for top-flight football.

From Bora, Ibadan to Sweden’s Champions

Developed at Tripple 44’s renowned Bora training ground in Ibadan, Adewale’s ascent has been built on patience and purpose. Nicknamed “Selica” for his blend of elegance, strength, and composure in attack, he progressed through Tripple 44’s structured development pathway before earning his move to Europe. That journey has now culminated in a dream transfer to Mjällby AIF, Sweden’s reigning champions and a club preparing for continental football.

Trusting the Process

Before his switch to Mjällby, Adewale honed his game at IF Karlstad Fotboll, where consistent performances made him one of the most talked-about young attackers in the Swedish lower divisions. During the 2024/2025 football calendar year, he recorded 20 goal involvements (goals and assists) for Tripple 44 in Nigeria, a return that earned him trials with Swedish giants Malmö FF and Djurgårdens IF.

Although those trials confirmed his quality, administrative challenges delayed a breakthrough move. “When he had 20 goals and assists back home, some people said it was against weak opposition,” recalled Okuku. “Now he has produced 21 goal involvements in Sweden, including goals in the league and cup. That’s the best answer you can give.”

Making Sweden Take Notice

At Karlstad, Adewale turned opportunity into momentum. In his debut professional season, he registered 13 goals and 8 assists in all competitions, including 12 goals and 5 assists in the Ettan Norra league, as well as a goal in the Svenska Cupen against Umeå FC. Those numbers paved the way for one of the rarest leaps in Swedish football — a direct move from the third tier to the reigning Allsvenskan champions.

His immediate impact for Mjällby, highlighted by his debut goal against Kalmar FF in the 4–0 win, has already validated the club’s decision.

The Vision Behind the Rise

Behind Adewale’s success lies the long-term vision of Samuel Olatunji Okuku, whose commitment to building credible European pathways for Nigerian talents has transformed Tripple 44 into a respected grassroots institution. A defining moment came in November 2021, when Okuku travelled to Paris for a brief meeting with a French intermediary introduced through an Israeli agent.

“I was desperately looking for a pathway for Abel Ogwuche at the time,” Okuku recalled. “That 30-minute conversation opened the Scandinavian door for Tripple 44.”

A Scandinavian Pipeline

That single meeting has since led to a steady flow of Tripple 44 talents into Swedish football, including Abel Ogwuche (Trelleborgs FF), Emmanuel Godwin (Trelleborgs FF), Ozor (IF Elfsborg), Usman Owoyemi Ajibola (IF Karlstad), Prince Amos (Vasalunds IF), and now Ibrahim “Selica” Adewale (Mjällby AIF). Each move has reinforced the academy’s reputation for professionalism, patience, and player development.

More Than an Academy

From its base in Bora, Ibadan, Tripple 44 Football Academy has built a reputation for producing not just footballers, but disciplined professionals ready for the demands of European football. “Tripple 44 is not just about producing players,” Okuku often says. “It’s about building men who understand purpose, patience, and professionalism.” That philosophy is steadily reshaping perceptions about Nigerian grassroots football and proving that structured development can lead to global relevance.

A Beacon for Young Dreamers

From local pitches in Ibadan to scoring for Sweden’s champions, Adewale’s story is a testament to preparation meeting opportunity. His journey validates the Tripple 44 model and offers hope to countless young Nigerian players seeking a clear and credible pathway abroad.

As he settles into life at Mjällby AIF and looks ahead to the challenges of top-flight and continental football, Ibrahim “Selica” Adewale stands as both a personal success story and a collective triumph — for an academy, a vision, and a generation that now dares to dream bigger.