Nigerian Football
GO ROUND FC GOING ROUND TRIUMPHANTLY
BY CHINA ACHERU
Go Round FC have already won twice on the road since the 2018/19 Nigeria Professional Football League season kicked off ten match days ago, but the club this term is more than just the points acquired.
The style has changed and it is the smooth passing game of the club that has wowed fans both at home and away since the season kicked off.
In the pre-season friendly match against Akwa United, Port Harcourt based football writer, Emmanuel Olugbenga maintained that the style of the club had changed.
“I have noticed their passing game has changed. They do not just go route- one like before. They are actually passing the ball and being patient about it,” Emmanuel said.
But that was just a pre-season friendly game.
After beating Abia Warriors 2-1 in Umuahia in the team’s first game of the season, something had hit the consciousness of Nigerians. Go Round FC, maybe like Rangers of 2016 and MFM FC were ready to wow fans with their style, but how long would this last?
League Management Company, LMC Match Delegate, Fisayo Dairo spoke in glowing terms about how the team played.
“They were clearly the better side, passing the ball around the pitch patiently as they bore down on goal. Samuel Stone was tormentor in chief as he continued to bully the Abia Warriors players. Go Round FC were not in any danger of losing or drawing the game, even after the home side equalised,” Dairo told NPFL.ng.
Patience is the key
The club’s first home game against FC Ifeanyi Ubah ended goalless, but unlike previous Go Round FC sides, they did not get desperate and change their style especially towards the end of the game. They remained patient, trying to pass their opponents to death.
The same thing happened in the team’s second home draw against Kada City. At no time did they get desperate. Even when the fans became a bit agitated demanding a goal, there were no long balls loaded into the penalty area from defence. They just continued to play from the back, a rarity in the Nigerian League.
“That is how I want my team to play,” Willy Udube told NPFL.ng.
“We want to change the perception of Nigerian football and one way to do that is to see to it that it is entertaining. It does not matter the pressure, we will keep the ball on the ground, pass the ball until the goals come. And if the goals do not come, we will try again the next match. We will win by passing the ball,” Udube said.
Udube’s revolution is entertaining
During the home win against Kano Pillars, it was clear that the more experienced visiting side did not know what hit them and Go Round FC passed them off the pitch.
Once in the game Otega, in Central Defence played the ball through the middle for Morice Chukwu; Chukwu guided the ball well, holding it up until Right Full Back, Ebuka Akobundu ran up into space and his through pass located him up front.
Rather than cross the ball, Ebuka cut it back displacing his marker, then passed to Shedrack who had left the penalty area to claim the ball. Backing the post, Shadrack feinted as though he wanted to make a dash in but back heeled to Stanley Worlu who passed side ways to Chukwu, but his shot went wide.
The fans’ applaud was wild, they were excited and patient too. The scenario described above has become a regular feature when the club plays, a testament to their training routine which is displayed in the League too. But the coach is worried that they do not score as much as they play.
“We are not scoring as much as we want, but anyone who watches us play will know there is a difference in our play and we believe that if we keep at it, the goals will start coming,” Udube said.
In Okigwe against Heartland, Go Round FC outplayed the hosts but profligacy ensured they did not score until Okon Otop won the game for the home side at the death; in Lafia against Plateau United, Go Round FC were in complete control of the game until the 77th minute when the home side scored.
“We want to enjoy football and we want the fans, both ours and those of the opponents to enjoy football too. If we do this consistently, then you can be rest assured that the nation and maybe the continent will start talking about a certain club in a small town in Rivers State playing decent football. That is what we want. We also believe the attackers will score more consistently to cap the performance with goals.
“But goals or not, we will not change our style. We would rather train to be more prolific,” Udube said.
In the off season, the team lost five starting players in Stanley Nwabali, Chile Azu, Nelson Esor, Okon Otop and Chidi Nwachukwu, but the likes of Dede, Akaba Otega, Ifeanyi Anyanwu, Rilwan Sadiq and Patrick Osakwe who joined up have ensured that the club continued from where it stopped last season.
Go Round FC plan to make a statement with the League this season and they seem to be doing it, but it is still early days yet.
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.
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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.
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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.
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