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.
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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