Nigerian Football
Exceptional Talents in the Offing as Camp GTBank 2017 Closes
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
The atmosphere was filled with overwhelming emotion as 40 student-footballers depart Greensprings School, Lekki at the outskirt of Lagos on Monday. They felt quite fulfilled as people equipped to face future challenges and overcome in their chosen vocation, football.
They were the 30 boys and 10 girls carefully selected from the Principals Cup in Lagos and Ogun states as well as the Master Cup – all secondary schools football tournaments sponsored by Guarantee Trust Bank plc. They have been camped along with 60 school coaches from Lagos and Ogun on an all-expense paid one week intensive player development and coach-training programme tagged Camp GTBank.
- The Camp GTBank coaching crew (seated) and some of the selected secondary schools’ coaches.
It was the fifth edition after those of 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015 all held at the IITA in Ibadan. The programme is designed to help the talents kick start their football career.
In the past seven years 170 students have passed through the programme in which renowned coaches were called up to assist in mentoring the burgeoning footballers. Perhaps, the biggest name to have emerged from the programme is Stephen Odey, a star player in the current Nigerian professional league.
According to one of the coaches at the programme, there may have been other star performers who were products of the GTBank Principals Cup and the Camp GTBank, but due to lack of tracking system, they may not have been identified.
But the camp, though very brief produced results. On Friday the female team defeated a regular soccer academy Springsoca by 6-0 while their male counterpart put up such resilience that the Eko Football assembly that had been camped for almost one year could not defeat the Camp GTBank which trained for less than a week.
The strength-testing match played on Saturday morning ended goalless. This year the coaching crew was led by former Nigerian international and chief coach, Augustine Eguavoen. Other crew members were Henry Nwosu, Waheed Akanni, Ann Chiejine, Yisa Sofoluwe, Ajuma Ameh-Ottache and Jolomi Atune. They are all proven former footballers and coaches.
They took the participants through all the aspects of football and exposed them to modern rules as well as improving their physical and mental conditions.
The players were thrilled. One of the star attractions among the 40 players was the diminutive 10-year old girl, Aliyat Saheed, a JSS 1 student Isale Eko Grammar School, Lagos Island.
- Excited Aliyat Saheed of Isale Eko Grammar School, Lagos Island enthusiastically looks forward to a promising football career.
She was already an attraction as a member of the Isale Eko Grammar School, Lagos Island which emerged champions in the girls’ category of the GTBank Lagos State Principals Cup earlier this year.
Despite her small stature and age, she was so impressive that Austin Eguavoen intuitively sprang her off her feet and carried her. She is a small girl with big ambition.
- Aliyat Saheed of Isale Eko Grammar School, Lagos Island takes on three players of Government Senior Secondary School, Agege in the final match of 2017 GTBank Lagos State Principals Cup.
“I want to make a big career in football. I want to play for Nigeria. I want to play professionally in Europe”, she remarked. She said that it was a big privilege for her to have participated in the programme in which she remarked that her ball control, team-building and ball passing have been perfected.
Most other participants have similar remarks. One of them, Nwachukwu Onyedika, a goalkeeper from St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka spoke about his newly acquired experience.
According to him, apart from acquisition of new skills and techniques, “I learnt what is called team discipline. We were made to wake up at a specific time and perform specific roles at designated time.
“We were taught about on field and off field disciplines. I learnt about team building and bonding. I learnt how to make new friends. Imagine that all of us came from different schools, yet we all became friends”.
- Classroom time as Coach Augustine Eguavoen takes the students on team building and discipline.
The daily schedules were tightly packed. They woke up by 5.30 am and must go to the field by 6:00 for a 30 minute exercise. They then went back to their rooms for shower and by 7:15 am they filed out to have breakfast.
At 8:00 they were already seated in the classroom for team building and classroom sessions. That programme lasted daily for an hour before the players filed out to the field at 9:00 for three-hour field training.
After lunch they resumed the one hour classroom session at 1:30 in the afternoon. The field training resumed at 2-30 in the afternoon and lasted the duration of a football match. The participants then went back for showers and then dinner before having a two hour time out for games and socials. At 9pm prompt, they were in bed.
The coaches also had exciting time handling the players as well as the 60 secondary schools’ coaches drawn from schools in Ogun and Lagos states. Henry Nwosu, a product of schools football and member of the Nigerian winning side in the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations said his rise to stardom was a motivation to the various school footballers hoping to make mark as they were taught the basics which their various games masters in schools may not have imparted to them.
It was the fifth time out for Yisa Sofoluwe who had been with the Camp GTBank from inception. Waheed Akanni, who also played for Nigeria at both junior and senior levels before becoming a chairman of the Lagos State FA, said the coaching crew emphasized on discipline both on and off the field for the students if they hoped to make a successful career in football. “But above all, we told them of the need to also take their academics very serious.
As the countdown begins for the commencement of the 2026/27 Nigeria’s lead football league’s season, strategic partners of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), GTI Asset Management & Trust Limited, have welcomed plans by the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to significantly increase the prize money for Nigeria’s top-flight football competition, describing the move as a major step towards strengthening the domestic game.
The proposed increase, recently announced by the country’s football authorities, is expected to enhance competition among clubs and improve the league’s attractiveness to investors and corporate sponsors.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, said the initiative demonstrated a renewed commitment by Nigerian sports administrators to reposition the NPFL as a commercially viable and globally competitive league.
“GTI commends this progressive initiative. Increasing the NPFL prize money sends a strong statement of intent that will undoubtedly motivate clubs, improve competitiveness and send the right signals to investors and stakeholders about the future of Nigerian football,” Ekejiuba said.
He added that additional financial support from the NSC would further strengthen league operations and accelerate ongoing reforms.
GTI, which has been involved in the league’s restructuring and commercial development over the past four years, also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting efforts aimed at transforming the NPFL into one of Africa’s leading football competitions.
According to Ekejiuba, the company has worked alongside the NPFL Board to improve corporate governance, enhance commercial opportunities and increase investor confidence in the league.
“The contributions of GTI Group cannot be overlooked. Over the last four years, we have remained steadfast in supporting the NPFL and helping to lay the foundation for a more structured, commercially viable and globally competitive football league,” he said.
The company stressed that collaboration among the NSC, NFF, NPFL Board and private-sector stakeholders would be critical to sustaining progress.
While welcoming the planned increase in prize money, GTI cautioned that deeper structural reforms would still be required to unlock the league’s full potential.
“It is not yet time to celebrate because there is still a great deal of work to be done,” Ekejiuba said.
He identified improved governance, club licensing, infrastructure development, broadcast production, content and data management, financial accountability and fan engagement as key areas requiring continued attention.
GTI said its long-term objective remains the creation of an accountable and transparent football ecosystem capable of attracting greater corporate investment and sponsorship into Nigerian football.
The company also noted that the current financial value of the NPFL, including the recently announced grant support, represents only a fraction of the league’s potential earnings.
“This collaboration between the NSC and NFF further complements the efforts of the NPFL Board and GTI. We welcome more partners to join this transformation journey because the current value, including the grant recently announced, represents less than two per cent of the league’s overall potential revenues which we expect to unlock over the next five years,” Ekejiuba said.
The latest endorsement from GTI comes as stakeholders intensify efforts to improve the commercial profile of the NPFL and position it as a stronger contributor to the growth of Nigeria’s football industry.
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Prominent Nigerians from all walks of life gathered at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, Modakeke, on Friday to pay their final respects to former Super Eagles coach and ex-Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Director, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, whose burial rites drew dignitaries from across the country.
The solemn ceremony attracted top government officials, traditional rulers, political leaders, academics, philanthropists, religious figures, business executives, retired civil servants, former Nigeria internationals and football administrators, all united in celebrating the life and legacy of one of Nigeria’s most influential football personalities.
Tributes poured in for the late tactician, remembered as a pioneer who broke barriers for indigenous coaches in Nigerian football. Onigbinde was the first Nigerian coach to lead the country’s senior national team to the Africa Cup of Nations final and the first indigenous coach to take the Super Eagles to the FIFA World Cup finals.
Clergy members who officiated at the funeral service described the Modakeke High Chief as a man of integrity, discipline and service, whose influence extended beyond Nigeria to the global football community.
Beyond his achievements with the national team, Onigbinde served as Technical Adviser to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association and later rose to become a Technical Advisor to FIFA.
Representing the NFF, former Super Eagles captain and current Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, paid glowing tribute to the late coach, describing him as a mentor who played a significant role in shaping his football career.
“Chief Onigbinde had a tremendous impact on my footballing career,” Eguavoen said. “He was a pathfinder who elevated the status of indigenous coaches through his intellect, professionalism and dedication to the game.
“The NFF recognises and appreciates his immense service to our country. He rose to the pinnacle of the coaching profession through hard work, discipline and commitment. He was a towering figure in coaching, not only in Nigeria but globally.
“He was the first Nigerian to lead our Eagles to silver medals at the Africa Cup of Nations and the first indigenous coach to guide the team at the FIFA World Cup. Even after retirement, he continued to contribute immensely as a resource person during NFF coaching programmes. His legacy is enduring and impressive.”
Eguavoen added that the nation and the football community would continue to cherish the contributions of the late coach while praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.
Former Nigeria captain and member of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Dr Felix Owolabi, also extolled Onigbinde’s qualities, describing him as a courageous leader, an exceptional mentor and a man of unquestionable integrity whose knowledge of football earned him widespread respect.
Among those present at the funeral were former NFF General Secretary Ambassador Fanny Amun, NFF Director of Communications Dr Ademola Olajire, former Super Eagles captain Mutiu Adepoju, representatives of the Osun State Government, traditional rulers, former international players and ex-members of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan, where Onigbinde made a lasting impact both as coach and administrator.
Dignitaries, football administrators, former internationals, traditional rulers and community leaders attend the burial rites of former Super Eagles coach and ex-Nigeria Football Federation Technical Director, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, Modakeke, Osun State, on Friday, paying tribute to one of Nigeria’s most influential football figures.
The Nigeria Football Federation also demonstrated its support for the family by making a financial contribution towards the funeral arrangements.
Widely regarded as one of the architects of modern Nigerian coaching, Chief Onigbinde leaves behind a rich legacy of service, excellence and pioneering achievements that helped shape the development of football in Nigeria and beyond.
For many gathered in Modakeke on Friday, the farewell was not only a burial ceremony but also a celebration of a life devoted to the growth of the beautiful game.
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Nigerian Football
Osimhen Clarifies Absence from Super Eagles Friendlies, Dismisses Transfer Speculation
Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has moved to clarify the circumstances surrounding his absence from the Super Eagles’ forthcoming international friendly matches against Poland and Portugal, insisting that recent comments by head coach Eric Chelle were misunderstood.
The Galatasaray forward will not be part of Nigeria’s squad for the two high-profile friendlies this month, a development that sparked speculation after Chelle suggested that the striker was focused on resolving issues relating to a possible transfer.
While explaining the absence of key players from his squad, Chelle remarked that Osimhen could be on the verge of changing clubs, prompting widespread reports linking the Nigerian star to a move away from Turkish champions Galatasaray.
“We miss two players because Victor Osimhen may be about to change clubs,” Chelle had said.
The comments fuelled fresh speculation about the future of the 27-year-old striker, who has been linked with several top European clubs following another prolific season in Turkey.
However, Osimhen has now sought to calm the situation, revealing that he personally contacted the Super Eagles coach to discuss the remarks and clear up any misunderstanding.
In a statement posted on his Instagram Story, the Nigerian international stressed that Chelle’s comments had been taken out of context and did not reflect any intention to create controversy surrounding either his future or Galatasaray.
“I just got off the phone with Coach Eric Chelle regarding the comments about me in his recent interview,” Osimhen wrote.
“Unfortunately, his words have been taken out of context and blown out of proportion. He has great respect for Galatasaray, follows most of our games, and never intended to create any controversy.
“I appreciate the conversation, the opportunity to always represent my country, and I look forward to continuing to work with him. He is a great coach whom I respect a lot, and I kindly ask everyone to disregard the speculation surrounding this matter.”
Osimhen’s statement effectively confirms that his absence from the friendlies against Poland and Portugal should not be interpreted as a sign of tension with the national team setup. Rather, it appears to be a mutually understood arrangement as the striker manages personal and professional commitments during the transfer window.
The former Napoli star remains a central figure in Chelle’s plans as Nigeria continues preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
For now, the Super Eagles will take on Poland and Portugal without their leading marksman. Still, Osimhen has reaffirmed both his commitment to Nigeria and his strong working relationship with the national team coach.
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