Nigerian Football
Nigeria Olympics and African Games’ hero, Tony Igwe opens up on his American odyssey
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
Former Nigeria national football team captain, Tony Igwe is still revelling on the 50th anniversary of the country’s first continental honours – the gold medal at the 2nd All Africa Games in Lagos.
Sadly, 50 years down the line and with 11 editions down the line, Nigeria’s football team has not replicated the 1973 gold medal, even at the 2003 games on home soil.
Igwe, a patriach of football family in Carlifornia, United States, in a telephone conversation remarked that he was very sad as most of his teammates had gone to the world beyond.
Of the 20-man Green Eagles squad of 1973, only six are alive and they exist without any national recognition.
Igwe, a right full back player in his active days and fondly called “World Number Two”, clocked 77 on the eve of last Chrismas.
A thorough-bred Nigerian, Igwe speaks his native Igbo as well as Hausa and Yoruba. He was born in Barkin Ladi in Plateau State and had most of his playing career in Lagos where he featured for Stationery Stores and later NEPA.
He remarked that Jide Johnson, the man who nicknamed the famous Ibadan club as ‘Shooting Stars’ was his mentor while he was still a youth footballer.
He was among the jinx-breaking Nigerian school boys who beat Ghana for the first time in Accra.
In the then annual Dowuona-Hammond Cup donated by the Ghana’s Minister of Education for contests between the Nigeria-Academicals and their Ghanaian counterparts, Nigeria beat Ghana 1-0 in Accra on 13 February 1966.
It was a milestone as it was the first time any Nigerian team had beaten Ghana on home soil. The Tony Igwe-propelled Nigerian team followed up on 19 February 1966 with 2-1 win Lagos to complete a double over Ghana first time.
The feat opened the national team doors for most of the school boys. Igwe recalled some of his team mates as Ismaila Mabo, Peter Anieke, Sam Garba Okoye, Eyo Essien among others.
In the Ghanaian Academicals defeated was Ibrahim Sunday who in 1971 was named by France Football as African Footballer of the Year.
Tony Igwe considered himself lucky to be among the living. “When I look back to think about my teammates who have all gone, I feel very sad”, said the defender who at 23, captained Nigeria’s football team to the Mexico ‘68 Olympics.
He told www.sportsvillagesquare.com that he felt like being in a dreamland when he arrived Mexico for the Olympics in 1968. That was the biggest platform that Nigerian football had been at the time.
He played every second of the three matches Nigeria played against Japan, Spain and Brazil. “I am still on my feet as I am on strict diet. I watch what I eat, said Igwe, who retired as a professor in the Physical Education Department at Chabot College in Carlifornia.
He obtained a Bachelor in Physical Education and Kinesiology from the University of San Fransisco and Masters in Career Guidance Psychology from San Fransisco State University.
After classroom works, Igwe became the Head Men’s soccer coach and professor of Kinesiology at Chabot College. As coach, he led his team to four finals of which three were won.
He was Stanford University men’s coach and also the women’s coach at Menlo College. Under him, some players were transferred to four year colleges. Some of the players include Jose Lopez, Sal Buenos, Rhomel Clarke, David Landeros, Luis Cadena and Juan Calderon. Others are Musa Mohammed, Christian Aberogo, Norma Sanchez and Noel Donlaya.
He was able to transform his family into a clan of footballers. According to him, he has three children and five grandchildren.
His three children who took to football are Chioma who plays professionally in Germany, Kelechi and Amaechi. When Igwe left Nigeria in 1975, he had little knowledge of what was in the offing for him.
Since, he had come to Nigeria once or twice. His parents are no more, so also, his brother, Patrick. On account of that, there are little or nothing to propel him to relocate.
In the US, he is settled. “I had a little knowledge when I got to San Francisco, but it was still difficult at first. My first two weeks here, I cried, because there was nobody around to talk to.”
Igwe eventually thrived, met his wife-to-be, Lisa, at University of San Fransisco, played semi- professionally and professionally and started a long coaching career that has included stops at Notre Dame and Menlo high schools, Menllo College and Stanford.
And he fathered some remarkable soccer progeny. Oldest son Kelechi, will be 40 in November. He was No. 2 in scoring on the Broncos’ men’s team. His sister, Chioma featured in the midfield for the United States U-20 women’s national team. From the 2011/12 until 2014/15 she played in the German Bundesliga for Freiburg.
By the end of 2016/17 season, she announced her retirement from professional soccer, at the age of 30. Youngest son Amaechi, 34, was a member of the U.S. Soccer residency program in Bradenton Florida from 2004-05.
Tony Igwe said he would like to see the kind of remarkable football revolution in Nigeria of the 1960s when coaches were all over the country discovering school boy talents who later graduated to the national team.
He said he was discovered in the north by Coach David Deshi who worked with Hungarian coach, Gustav Hidas whose main roles were to discover talents.
By Kunle Solaja.
Nigeria’s planned participation in a four-nation invitational tournament later this month is facing serious uncertainty after a significant escalation in Middle Eastern tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to compete in Amman, Jordan, from March 27 to 31, alongside Iran, Jordan and Costa Rica, as part of preparations for future competitive fixtures and squad building. But recent geopolitical developments have cast doubt over whether the event can still go ahead as planned.
An official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed to Sports Village Square that the situation is being closely monitored, with security and travel concerns emerging as key factors in deciding the tournament’s fate.
The doubts stem from joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which triggered a sharp escalation in hostilities and sparked retaliatory actions across the region, including reports of attacks and counter-attacks in neighbouring countries.
The unfolding crisis has already led to airspace closures, flight cancellations and broader travel disruptions in the Gulf and Levant, complicating international travel plans for teams and supporters alike.
The Super Eagles had planned to open the tournament against Iran on March 27 at the Amman International Stadium before facing hosts Jordan four days later. However, Iran’s participation itself is now in question as the security situation deepens and Iranian football authorities weigh their options amid the conflict.
The tournament was seen as a valuable opportunity for head coach Eric Chelle to assess his squad in a competitive setting before the next major competitions, which include the 2027 Afcon qualifiers.
Jordan, who will make their own debut at the 2026 World Cup, was using the event to build momentum on home soil, but the escalating crisis places not just Nigeria’s fixtures at risk, but the entire mini-tournament.
The NFF has not yet announced an alternative plan should the tournament be cancelled or postponed.
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Matchday drama unfolded across centres in the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL) as title contenders stumbled, traditional powerhouses flexed their muscles, and the race for continental places tightened significantly.
Rivers United’s grip at the top suffered a dent after a shock 1–0 defeat to Bayelsa United in a tense South-South derby. The slim victory handed Bayelsa a crucial three points while slowing Rivers’ momentum at a critical stage of the season.
The biggest statement of the weekend came from Bendel Insurance, who dismantled Ikorodu City 4–0 in a ruthless display. Insurance were clinical from start to finish, overpowering their visitors and boosting both their goal difference and their standing in the upper half of the table. For Ikorodu City, who had been firmly in the mix near the summit, the heavy loss could prove costly in the long run.
Enugu Rangers also strengthened their position with a composed 2–0 victory over Nasarawa United. The Flying Antelopes controlled proceedings and capitalised on their chances, ensuring maximum points against a direct rival in the race for honours. With Rivers United dropping points, Rangers’ win significantly narrows the gap at the top.
In Aba, Enyimba were held to a 1–1 draw by Kun Khalifat in a fiercely contested encounter. The People’s Elephant had to settle for a point despite home advantage, a result that may affect their ambitions of climbing into the continental qualification spots.
Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves played out a goalless draw in a tightly fought affair where defences dominated, and clear chances were scarce.
Remo Stars continued their battle against relegation with a 2–0 triumph over Katsina United in Ikenne.
Remo Stars begin redemption course with a 2-0 defeat of Katsina United
Ibadan, Shooting Stars delighted their supporters with a spirited 2–1 victory over Kano Pillars. The Oluyole Warriors demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline to edge the encounter, keeping their push for a higher finish on track.
Sunday Results
- Bayelsa United 1-0 Rivers United
- Bendel Insurance 4-0 Ikorodu City
- Enugu Rangers 2-0 Nasarawa United
- Enyimba 1-1 Kun Khalifat
- Niger Tornadoes 0-0 Warri Wolves
- Remo Stars 2-0 Katsina United
- Shooting Stars 2-1 Kano Pillars
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The race for promotion in the 2025/2026 season of the Nigeria National League (NNL) has gathered momentum, with relegated sides Akwa United and Doma United pushing strongly for an immediate return to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Both former top-flight campaigners have shown resilience since dropping to the second tier last season. Akwa United currently lead Conference B with a game in hand, underlining their determination to bounce back at the first attempt. Meanwhile, Doma United sit atop Conference C despite suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Sokoto United on Matchday 11.
Southern Conference Delivers Drama
Matchday 11 in the Southern Conference produced thrilling encounters, further tightening the race for promotion.
In Conference A, two away wins, one home victory and a draw defined the round. The headline fixture between table-toppers Inter-Lagos FC and second-placed Beyond Limit FC ended in a goalless stalemate in Abeokuta. The result ensured Inter-Lagos maintained their grip on first place, though Beyond Limit remain firmly in contention.
Elsewhere, Smart City edged Edel FC 1-0, Gateway United secured a similar 1-0 win over Crown FC, while Sunshine Stars boosted their campaign with a convincing 2-0 triumph over Abia Comets. The victories have intensified the competition in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely fought groups in the league.
Conference B: Akwa United Hold Firm
Conference B continues to heat up as teams battle for supremacy. Osun United claimed a crucial 1-0 away victory at Abakaliki FC, while Rovers FC defeated Stormers 1-0 in Calabar.
Despite the pressure from chasing teams, Akwa United remain firmly in control at the summit. With a game in hand, the Promise Keepers are well-positioned to strengthen their promotion bid in the coming weeks.
Conference C: Doma United Stay Ahead
In Conference C, Sokoto United handed leaders Doma United a 1-0 setback, but the defeat did little to dislodge them from the top. Doma remain on 19 points, narrowly ahead of FC Basira, who climbed to 18 points after a 2-0 win over Lobi Stars.
The slim margin between the top sides suggests a tense battle ahead, with every point likely to prove decisive in the quest for a top-two finish.
Conference D: Northern Battle Intensifies
Yobe Desert Stars moved temporarily to the summit of Conference D with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Ranchers Bees, taking their tally to 15 points. Jigawa Golden Stars edged Adamawa United 1-0, while Gombe United and Kebbi United settled for a goalless draw.
Promotion Race Wide Open
With each conference producing unpredictable outcomes, the NNL promotion race remains delicately poised. For traditional heavyweights Akwa United and Doma United, the objective is clear: secure one of the coveted promotion spots and return to the Nigeria Elite League.
As the season progresses, the intensity is expected to rise further, with fans across the country watching closely to see which clubs will earn the right to rejoin Nigeria’s top-flight next season.
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