The English football landscape has long been a breeding ground for talented young players who go on to achieve greatness on the world stage.  

The likes of Ademola Lookman, Bukayo Saka, and Alex Iwobi are just a few examples of players who began their journeys as youngsters in England before blossoming into professional stars known across the globe.

One player who is following in the footsteps of these stars is Olumide Akinode, a versatile and dynamic footballer born on June 19, 2001, in London, England.

Olumide Akinode, set to blossom into stardom

He is of Nigerian parentage. With a professional career spanning over four years, “Olu” as he is fondly called has showcased his adaptability and skill across multiple positions, excelling as a right wing-back, winger, and even in central midfield.

“I’ve always been driven to succeed and make a name for myself in football,” Olu said in an exclusive interview.

“Growing up, I looked up to players like David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, who not only excelled on the pitch but also built successful brands off it. I want to follow in their footsteps and create a lasting legacy in the sport.”

Olu’s football journey began in England, where he played for notable clubs such as Brentwood Town, Northwood, Coggeshall Town, and Stanway Rovers. 

During his time in the competitive Isthmian and Essex Senior Leagues, he gained recognition for his consistent performances and leadership qualities.

According to the testimonies of his former coaches, Olu was always a standout player, even from a young age.

His hunger to learn and improve and his work ethic was second to none. 

Olu’s efforts earned him accolades, including the prestigious Players’ Player of the Season award for the 2022/23 season. 

In 2023, an opportunity to play abroad came knocking, and Olu signed with LKS Ślesin in Poland’s Artbud Group IV Liga.

It was a bold move, but one that showcased his courage and ambition. “Coming to Poland was a fresh start,” Olu reflects.

“It was about proving to myself that I could adapt to a new culture, a new style of play, and still thrive.”

Olu continues to make an impact on the field with stellar performances, tallying two assists and a Man of the Match award within just five games.

It is not surprising Olu has quickly become fans’ favourite. One of the local sports journalists in Poland describes Olu as “a player who brings energy and precision to every match. 

Building the Olumide Akinode Brand

Beyond his on-field exploits, Olu is also focused on building his brand. 

“It’s about being more than just a footballer,” he says. “I want to inspire younger players, especially those who come from humble beginnings like I did, to chase their dreams fearlessly.”

His journey resonates with many, including aspiring footballers in England and Poland. 

For many, Olu’s story reminds us that it’s not about where we start but how far we’re willing to go. 

“He’s an inspiration to so many people.” affirms … a close friend 

The Road Ahead

At 23, Olumide Akinode’s journey is just beginning. With his talent, determination, and ever-growing fan base, he’s poised for greater heights. Whether it’s breaking into higher leagues or representing his ancestral homeland, Nigeria, on the international stage, the future looks bright for Olu.

Olumide Akinode is already making impact as a wing back.

“For me, it’s always about progress,” Akinode says with a smile. “Every match, every training session, every new challenge—I see it as a step closer to achieving my dreams.”

Like Lookman, Saka, and Iwobi before him, Akinode is proving that humble beginnings are no barrier to global success. Instead, they are the foundation upon which greatness is built.

 Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

BY ISAIAH AKINREMI.

New Nigeria boss Eric Chelle will face the biggest challenge of his managerial career when the Malian takes charge of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March.

The 47-year-old, who makes history as the first non-Nigerian African to assume the role of Super Eagles head coach, gained the attention of his new employers when he led Mali to a rare victory over Nigeria last year.

After missing out on the last edition of the World Cup in Qatar, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has tasked Chelle with reaching next year’s tournament.

However, he must hit the ground running given the Super Eagles have failed to win any of their first four games in Group C.

Some in the country are already criticising his appointment, with one student association describing it as “a slap in the face” of homegrown coaches.

One pundit who has followed his career has described Chelle as a “kind, courteous, and polite” man, but also as “a real fighter” and an ambitious coach.

Having reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with Mali, will he be able to inspire one of the continent’s footballing heavyweights?

Showing ‘fighting spirit’

Most of Eric Chelle’s professional appearances came during his spell with French side Valenciennes between 2003 and 2008

Chelle, born in Ivory Coast to a French father and a Malian mother, spent his entire professional playing career in France, beginning in the lower leagues with Martigues.

The centre-back moved to Valenciennes and helped win two consecutive league titles to reach the top flight in 2006, but then dropped down to the second tier two years later to join Lens.

More success followed as his new club won the title in his debut season, with Chelle named in the Ligue 2 team of the year.

“Eric works with discipline and rigour,” Malian sports journalist Salif Diakite told BBC Sport Africa.

“He has the fighting spirit [and] wants to win all his matches. He aspired to become a football coach.

“He quickly hung up his boots to devote himself to his coaching career. I’m not surprised to see Eric becoming [a] coach.”

Chelle started that path in 2014 as an assistant with GS Consolat (now known as Athletico Marseille), a French amateur club.

He re-joined Martigues as head coach in 2017 before joining Boulogne in May 2021.

However, he was dismissed just seven months later by the third-tier outfit after one win in 10 games.

“Eric is a quiet coach out of the pitch, but on the pitch, he is tough with his players,” Diakite added.

Stepping up with Mali

Mali won their group at the 2023 Afcon finals under Chelle, finishing ahead of South Africa and Tunisia

Despite having only managed in the French lower divisions, Chelle next made the step up to international football.

Mali selected him to take charge in May 2022 – ahead of former Nigeria boss Gernot Rohr and ex-Cameroon coach Winfried Schafer.

Chelle, who also holds French citizenship, had won five caps for Mali between 2004 and 2006 but had never appeared at a major tournament. Yet he felt he was ready to manage his country.

“It is definitely a big challenge and I do like to challenge myself,” he said after joining the Eagles.

Mali certainly impressed in qualifying for the 2023 Afcon, losing just one game and finishing as the second-highest scorers with 13 goals.

Yet, playing at attacking game with a 4-3-3 formation, Chelle could not lead a talented side past the quarter-finals at the tournament itself after a heart-breaking defeat by hosts Ivory Coast.

Mali seemed certain of victory but the Elephants scored a 90th-minute equaliser and then a 122nd-minute winner.

After a slow start in 2026 World Cup qualifying, with one win from their first four games, the Malian Football Federation fired Chelle in June last year.

Diakite says that decision was “badly received” by supporters and a section of the squad.

“Most Malian football fans believed that Eric could do something with Eagles,” he explained.

“[He] had a very good relationship with his players. When he was sacked, some of his players had refused to come to the national team.”

An ‘enormous’ challenge with Nigeria

Nigeria’s Super Eagles last featured at the World Cup finals in 2018 in Russia

Since leaving Mali, Chelle’s only job has been a short and unsuccessful stint with Algerian club MC Oran.

Now comes another big step up to manage three-time continental champions Nigeria, the runners-up at the 2023 Afcon.

Super Eagles fans had expected a high-profile coach to take charge, and Diakite accepts the challenge is “enormous”.

“I understand the feeling of Nigerian football fans,” he said.

“He (Chelle) is a young coach. His record is blank [at] the moment, but he is ambitious.”

Results in the final six rounds of World Cup qualifiers will be crucial in deciding whether Chelle is kept on for the 2025 Afcon, which kicks off in December.

But Diakite suggests patience is required.

“Malian football fans have a lot of admiration for Eric Chelle.

“I hope that he will have the same consideration in Nigeria.”

Chelle may well lead Nigeria at next month’s African Nations Championship, the tournament for domestic-based players.

NFF president Ibrahim Gusau said the new Super Eagles coach would be the one to manage the side – with the aim of “injecting” Nigerian Premier League players into the senior national team.

“Eric used to follow the local league (Mali Premier Division) a lot. We always found a local player in his national team,” Diakite explained.

In order to win over demanding fans and deliver results with the Super Eagles, Chelle will need to draw on all the experience he has gathered so far.

-BBC

 Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

BY KUNLE SOLAJA

The involvement of GTI Group as a strategic partner of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) might be a recent development, as the partnership was concretised in 2023.

The Group Managing Director of GTI, Abubakar Lawal, has revealed that the planning had been a long one since 2010 and only finalised two years ago.

“It has been a marathon, and we had been planning for it for a long time, and we are working towards a long-lasting relationship that will see the Nigerian league taking a respectable position in global football leagues”, remarked Abubakar Lawal.

His comments supported an earlier presentation by the Executive Director of GTI of Asset Management & Trust Limited, Nelson Ine who in his playing days captained the University of Ibadan to win the gold medal at the Nigerian Universities Games in Calabar in 1990.

Thirty-five years later, Ine is still relevant in Nigerian football as he took a group of sports and business journalists through the journey and the vision of GTI for Nigerian football.

Ine revealed the journey so far in which he reeled out the impact that the company’s partnership with the NFF has achieved. Such include a conducive atmosphere and seamless operation of the Nigerian Premier Football League in the past two seasons.

“There is now discipline and officiating integrity is being established.”

The partnership has also enabled improved live broadcast of matches even to global audiences.

Ine revealed that there was an initial take-off fund of N400 million for the 20 teams in the elite league for the seasons of 2022/23 and 2023/24.  

Enyimba as the first champions in the GTI era got 100 million naira while in the following season, the purse improved to 150 million when Enugu Rangers were crowned the champions.

“With that, we aim to elevate the league to a level where all elite clubs are transitioned to private ownership and management, thereby creating investable and tradable assets that can attract significant investment from local and foreign investors”, remarked Ine.

He explained that the vision of GTI is to see Nigerian clubs grow to become business centres driven by effective and efficient administrative management as have in Europe.

 Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H