Nigerian Football
MY INJURY HELL IS OVER, SAYS DELE OLORUNDARE
BY TOBI ADEPOJU.
Former Sunshine Stars forward, Dele Olorundare has declared he would soon be back on the pitch and scoring goals after finally finding a lasting solution to his persistent injury.
Olorundare, who once led Sunshine Stars to third place in the Nigeria Professional Football League and led the line as Sunshine Stars played on the continent for the first time has battled consistent knee problems for the past two years and his career has stalled as a result of the injury.
Olorundare, with 42 goals in 69 appearances, is arguably Sunshine Stars record scorer. His superb season form earned him a call-up to the home-based Super Eagles under late Stephen Keshi in 2013.
However, it appears he is certain the lingering problem has now being solved and is gearing up for a return to the league.
“It started two years ago when I felt something in my knee. I continued playing with it because I wanted to help my club but apparently, it was getting worse. When I fully broke down, I started looking for medical solutions to resolve it and that was where my problems began,” he says.
“One solution led to another but I wasn’t feeling any better and losing hope till I heard about Kasi Healthcare. Dr Salami and Dr Dayo Osholowu assured me they could finally resolve the issue and I decided to go with them as they seemed to know what they were talking about and I saw the technology they had.
“It has turned out to be the best decision I have made in my career. My knee is healing fast now and I will resume training very soon. I cannot wait to be back”, said Olorundare.
Speaking on player’s injury, Dr Salami, the Chief Surgeon at Kasi Healthcare said making the right diagnosis and confirming same with modern technology is fundamental to identify and plan for treatment of delicate sports injuries and ensuring that players make the best of their short careers.
“It is sad many players lose out on the best years of their careers because of inadequate care.
“Our team has extensive clinical experience managing sports injuries. Nigerian athletes can now gain access to diagnostic ultrasound and MRI scans reported by specialist sports medicine specialists and l radiologists, either same day or within 48 hours of their initial appointment.
“We offer a world class but local solution for injured Nigerian athletes. We have consolidated all our skills, expertise, and made the investment in the modern technology to create a world class sports medicine service here in Lagos Nigeria. That is our mission here at Kasi. I am happy for Olorundare; he deserves to be back on the pitch. He has been through a lot.
Salami is a Fellow in Arthroscopy at the Sancheti Institute of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Pune, India.
He is also a fellow of the West African College of Surgeons and member International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS); European Society for Sports Traumatology.
Also speaking on the issue is Head of the Kasi Healthcare Interventional Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation service Dr Dayo Osholowu who is a Diplomat of the FIFA Football Medicine Centre of Excellence Johannesburg and member of the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup Medical team and Former Team Doctor of Nigerian Dodan Warriors Basketball team said that the NPFL players, other Nigeria athletes all need fast diagnosis and full recovery.
“They want to return to their achieved levels of fitness and performance as soon as possible with minimal disruption.
“For even the most severe sports injuries such as a torn ACL (knee ligament) we offer advance keyhole and micro surgery including Laser treatments for Sports Injuries.
“We also offer Physiotherapy and individualized rehabilitation programmes to ensure full recovery from sports injuries and orthopaedic surgery.
“Our team is 100% Nigerian and trained at top Sports Medicine centres in Europe, USA, South Africa and India.
“We are here to provide the best quality specialist healthcare to this category of Nigerians. It is sad that in the past many have never fully recovered from these injuries which are completely treatable.
“We are happy, we are giving athletes and Nigerians hope by helping them recover from injuries.
“This year we have treated Terry Envoh, a former Nigerian international and he is on his way to fully recovering.
“Another Nigerian international, Segun Oduduwa who also got injured playing for the National U23 team has had his surgery and is strictly following our recovery plan.
“Segun will make a full and complete recovery and he will be back on the pitch soon. That’s what gives us pride, helping our people return to sports or any other endeavour and leading active, productive lives.”
Rivers United head coach and technical manager, Finidi George, has praised young defender Ochiobi Elias following his outstanding performance in the club’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture on Wednesday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The left-back, who played the full 90 minutes, was instrumental in helping Rivers United maintain a clean sheet, marking one of his most confident outings since his promotion to the senior squad.
Finidi, visibly impressed after the match, revealed that his decision to give Elias a full game was driven by trust in the player’s potential, despite his limited minutes earlier in the season.
“I think he did well. Normally, we should have been bringing him in gradually — maybe 15 minutes before giving him a 90-minute match,” Finidi said. “But I trust him, and I’ve spoken to him. He should be relaxed, calm down, and play his football.”
The coach also highlighted a near-miss moment when Elias came close to scoring late in the game, a chance Finidi felt could have crowned his stellar performance.
“I think today he would have scored a goal at the last moment, but he still wanted to square the ball, look for somebody,” Finidi added. “I’m quite happy with his performance, and we will keep encouraging him to do better. I am very, very pleased.”
Elias, a product of the Rivers United youth team that won the NPFL Youth League in 2024, has been gradually integrated into the first team under Finidi’s guidance. His performance on Wednesday is seen as a major step forward in his development and a sign of his growing confidence.
The youngster is now expected to retain his place in the squad as Rivers United travel to Aba this Sunday for a crucial NPFL clash against Enyimba.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Strategic partners of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the President Federation Cup, GTI Group, have congratulated the football governing body on the successful hosting of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held last weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a press statement issued on Friday in Lagos, GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, lauded the NFF Board under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau for the smooth conduct of the AGM and the significant progress made in Nigerian football development.
According to Ekejiuba, the Ibadan meeting reflected Gusau’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and strengthening unity across the football ecosystem.
“GTI Group congratulates the Nigeria Football Federation on the successful outcome of its Annual General Meeting held in Ibadan, which the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, used the occasion to demonstrate his commitment to engaging positively with football stakeholders, including state football associations, clubs and fans,” he said.
“His interactions with the various groups at the AGM showcased his impactful leadership and dedication to promoting Nigerian football and fostering a collaborative environment.”
Ekejiuba also highlighted the Super Falcons’ recent achievements and the growth of domestic competitions, particularly the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), as key milestones recorded under Gusau’s leadership. GTI serves as a strategic partner of the NPFL, supporting its structural and commercial transformation.
The statement further expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for their hospitality and support during the AGM. Ekejiuba noted the governor’s commendation of the improved standard of refereeing in the NPFL under the administration of Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye.
However, GTI also used the opportunity to express disappointment over the early exit of Kwara United and Abia Warriors from the CAF Confederation Cup, urging Nigerian clubs to raise their competitive standards on the continental stage.
“It is unfortunate that both Kwara United and Abia Warriors crashed out at the preliminary phase of the CAF Confederation Cup last weekend. This clearly shows that Nigerian clubs must raise their game in order to compete favourably,” the statement read.
“The future remains bright, but that is why GTI has been calling on Corporate Nigeria to invest more in our football, just as is done in thriving leagues across the world.”
Ekejiuba also extended words of encouragement to Remo Stars and Rivers United, who are still flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Champions League.
“We encourage them to dig deep and remain focused to ensure successful campaigns. They should give Nigerian football fans something to cheer this season because we understand how demanding continental competitions can be,” he concluded.
GTI Group reaffirmed its continued commitment to working closely with the NFF to advance football development, promote professionalism, and attract sustainable investment into the Nigerian game.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has queried Warri Wolves following reports of the suspension of their head coach, Aluma Napoleon, faulting the club’s failure to comply with established procedures for contracting and registering technical officials.
In a letter titled “Notarization and Registration of Contracts” and signed by the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league body directed the Delta-based club to regularize all contractual documentation with its technical and management staff in line with NPFL regulations.
The NPFL’s letter stated:
“Information reaching us from the media space suggests that the Delta State Sports Commission has suspended your head coach, Mr. Aluma Napoleon, with immediate effect.”
Citing Sections B, Articles 6 and 11 of the NPFL 2025/26 Framework and Rules, the league reminded Warri Wolves that all clubs are required to submit notarized contracts of their officials for registration and record purposes.
“You are, however, in breach of these sections as Warri Wolves FC have not submitted the contracts of its officials to the League Board. You are hereby requested, within twenty-four hours of receiving this letter, to submit all relevant contracts of your technical team, including that of the assumed suspended head coach, Mr. Napoleon Aluma, to the NPFL Secretariat,” the letter warned.
The NPFL further cautioned that failure to comply could lead to sanctions, including restricting Warri Wolves’ technical crew from accessing the bench in subsequent league matches.
“Note that failure to comply with this instruction will lead to the restriction of your technical team from accessing the technical area in future NPFL matches,” the league stated.
In a related statement to NPFL Media, COO Davidson Owumi stressed that the Warri Wolves case was not isolated, adding that all clubs yet to register the contracts of their technical officials must do so without delay.
“I must admonish all coaches to get hold of their contracts and lodge a report with the NPFL when there is a violation of the terms. It is the responsibility of the aggrieved to petition the league at all times,” Owumi emphasized.
The NPFL has been tightening administrative controls in recent seasons to ensure transparency, professionalism, and adherence to contractual obligations across all participating clubs.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup1 week ago
BREAKING: At last FIFA’s Axe falls on South Africa!
- World Cup1 week ago
South Africa to Appeal FIFA Ruling Over Mokoena Eligibility Case
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Super Eagles Set for Double Friendly Showdown with Venezuela and Colombia in USA
- World Cup1 week ago
Sport Minister Orders Probe into SAFA over Bafana’s Costly Points Deduction
- World Cup6 days ago
FIFA Sanction on South Africa Offers Super Eagles a Lifeline — But a Lesson from History Looms
- CAF Confederation Cup1 week ago
Asante Kotoko End Kwara United’s Confederation Cup Campaign in Abeokuta
- U-20 FOOTBALL1 week ago
Two penalty appeal lost as Flying Eagles stumble at first hurdle
- World Cup4 days ago
Super Eagles Walk Tightrope as Nine Key Players Risk Suspension in World Cup Qualifiers