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.
Players and officials of Nigeria’s U20 women’s national team, the Falconets, have resumed camping in Abuja as preparations intensify for the final round of qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Several invited players arrived in camp on Monday, April 6, 2026, with full training sessions commencing the following day as the team began serious build-up toward the decisive fixtures. The technical crew has since engaged the squad in intensive drills focused on fitness, tactical organisation, and team cohesion, while awaiting the arrival of the remaining invitees.
At the team’s first training session, Head Coach Moses Aduku charged the players to approach the assignment with utmost seriousness, stressing the need for discipline, unity, and mental strength.
He reminded the squad of the magnitude of the task ahead as they prepared to confront a determined Malawi women’s national under-20 football team in the final qualifying round.
The players, in response, expressed confidence and readiness, with many eager to secure Nigeria’s place at the global tournament. Training sessions have continued at a high tempo, with the coaching crew keen on ensuring peak physical and tactical condition before the first leg.
Malawi booked their place in the final round after edging past Guinea-Bissau women’s national under-20 football team in their previous fixture, setting up what promises to be a keenly contested tie.
The Falconets will host the first leg in Nigeria on Saturday, May 2, before travelling for the return leg in Malawi a week later in a two-legged showdown that will determine qualification.
Africa will be represented by four teams at the tournament, scheduled to take place in Poland from September 5 to 26, 2026, adding further significance to the upcoming encounter for the Nigerian side, which is aiming to maintain its strong pedigree in global youth women’s football.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is hurtling towards a dramatic finish, with fierce battles unfolding simultaneously at the top and bottom of the table as Matchday 33 delivered twists that have tightened the race on both fronts.
From Ikenne to Lafia and Ozoro, the weekend results have ensured that neither the title contenders nor the relegation-threatened sides can afford a moment’s slip in what promises to be a pulsating run-in.
Title Race Tightens
At the summit, Enugu Rangers reclaimed top spot, though only on goal difference, after being held to a goalless draw at home by Barau FC. The result took Rangers to 55 points, the same tally as Rivers United, but with a superior goal difference.
Rivers United, however, suffered a significant setback in Ozoro, falling 2-0 to Warri Wolves. The defeat could prove costly in a title race where every point now carries enormous weight. Goals from Igbunu Evwierhurhoma and Othuke Egbo handed Wolves a crucial victory while halting Rivers’ momentum at a critical stage.
Just behind the leading duo, Ikorodu City remain firmly in contention with 52 points and a game in hand. At the same time, Nasarawa United’s surprise home defeat to bottom-placed Kun Khalifat has dented their title aspirations. Shooting Stars, who also lost over the weekend, remain on 50 points but are now under pressure from teams below.
Abia Warriors, with 49 points and an outstanding fixture, are also quietly lurking within striking distance, underlining just how congested the upper half of the table has become.
Ikenne Revival Sparks Relegation Fight
While the title race grabs headlines, the relegation battle is equally gripping—and perhaps even more unpredictable.
In Ikenne, Remo Stars secured a vital 1-0 victory over regional rivals Shooting Stars in a tense South-West derby. Samuel Anakwe’s early second-half strike proved decisive, lifting Remo Stars to 40 points and providing a crucial lifeline in their fight for survival.
The win sees Remo Stars inch further away from immediate danger, but they remain deep in the relegation mix, where only a handful of points separate several teams.
Kwara United boosted their survival hopes with an emphatic 3-0 victory over El-Kanemi Warriors, moving to 39 points despite an earlier points deduction. Meanwhile, Kano Pillars’ resounding 4-0 win against Bendel Insurance has also strengthened their position, though they continue to feel the impact of disciplinary sanctions.
Bottom Club Sends Shockwaves
Perhaps the most dramatic result of the round came in Lafia, where bottom-placed Kun Khalifat stunned Nasarawa United with a 1-0 away victory—remarkably the only away win of the matchday.
Stanley Otu’s stoppage-time strike not only handed Kun Khalifat a rare triumph but also reignited their survival hopes. With 36 points, they remain at the foot of the table but have demonstrated that they are far from resigned to relegation.
Above them, Wikki Tourists (37 points) and Kwara United (39 points) are also locked in a desperate struggle to avoid the drop. At the same time, Bayelsa United, Enyimba, and Remo Stars are not yet safe in a tightly packed lower half.
Mid-Table Congestion Adds Intrigue
The middle of the table offers no comfort either. Teams such as Warri Wolves, Barau FC, Plateau United, and El-Kanemi Warriors are all clustered around the 43-point mark, meaning a short winning run could propel any of them into continental contention—or drag them into the relegation dogfight.
Warri Wolves’ victory over Rivers United may well be one of the defining results of the season, as it not only disrupted the title race but also boosted their own standing to ninth place.
Crucial Fixtures Ahead
Attention now turns to the outstanding fixtures scheduled for Monday, where Abia Warriors host Bayelsa United, while Plateau United face Ikorodu City. Both matches carry significant implications at both ends of the table.
For Ikorodu City, victory would take them level with the leaders, further intensifying the title race. For Bayelsa United and Plateau United, the stakes are equally high in their quest to steer clear of relegation trouble.
A Season on a Knife Edge
With five rounds of matches remaining for most teams, the NPFL is delicately poised for a thrilling climax. The battle for the title is as fierce as the fight for survival, with fine margins likely to determine who celebrates and who suffers heartbreak.
From the top where Rangers and Rivers United are locked on points, to the bottom where Kun Khalifat have refused to surrender, the 2025/2026 NPFL season is shaping up as a compelling contest of resilience, nerve, and consistency.
As the league heads into its final stretch, one thing is certain: every goal, every point, and every decision will matter.
The Current NPFL Table
Club P W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Rangers International FC 33 15 10 8 39 24 15 55 2 Rivers United FC 33 15 10 8 33 27 6 55 3 Ikorodu City FC 32 14 10 8 33 26 7 52 4 Nasarawa United FC 33 14 8 11 31 27 4 50 5 Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) 33 15 5 13 35 36 -1 50 6. Abia Warriors 32 14 7 11 27 25 2 49 7 Bendel Insurance FC 33 11 13 9 38 34 4 46 8 Katsina United FC 33 12 10 11 29 29 0 46 9 Warri Wolves 33 11 10 12 33 33 0 43 10 Barau FC 33 10 13 10 25 26 -1 43 11 Plateau United FC 32 13 4 15 33 35 -2 43 12 El-Kanemi Warriors FC 33 12 7 14 28 38 -10 43 13 Niger Tornadoes FC 33 12 6 15 34 31 3 42 14 Kano Pillars (-3pts, -3 goals) 33 13 6 14 30 32 -2 42 15 Enyimba FC 33 10 10 13 35 37 -2 40 16 Bayelsa United FC 32 10 10 12 30 33 -3 40 17 Remo Stars FC 33 12 4 17 34 41 -7 40 18 Kwara United (-3pts, -3 goals) 33 11 9 13 26 29 -3 39 19 Wikki Tourists FC 33 8 13 12 30 37 -7 37 20 Kun Khalifat FC 33 9 9 15 31 40 -9 36
Outstanding Matches: Monday, April 6
- Abia Warriors v Bayelsa United
- Plateau United v Ikorodu City
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Nigerian Football
Naze Community to Honour Late Super Eagles Legend Henry Nwosu with ‘Clash of Titans’ Novelty Match
By Joseph Odoekwu
The Naze community in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State will on Sunday, April 5, stage a novelty football match in honour of their late son and former Super Eagles midfielder, Henry Nwosu.
The event, tagged “The Clash of Titans,” will see Naze All Stars square off against Imo Football Legends at the Naze Secondary School field, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m. on Easter Sunday.
Details of the tribute match emerged following a training session held on Thursday morning at the venue, where former players and participants in the long-running Henry Nwosu Cup resolved to take the lead in celebrating the legacy of the late football icon.
Naze All Stars will be made up of indigenes of the community who have featured in the Henry Nwosu Cup since its inception in 1985, while the Imo Football Legends side will parade notable ex-footballers from across the state.
The Ikuku Oma Foundation is organising the match in collaboration with the Naze Football Federation as part of activities to immortalise Nwosu, whose grassroots initiative transformed local football in the community.
Since its establishment over four decades ago, the Henry Nwosu Cup—played annually during the Christmas period—has grown into a major unifying and entertainment platform for Naze and neighbouring communities such as Ulakwo, Agbala and Egbu. Beyond football, the competition has also fostered social bonds, with several marriages reportedly stemming from relationships formed on matchdays.
There are also strong indications that Heartland FC manager and former Super Eagles winger, Emmanuel Amuneke, could lead the Imo Football Legends side in Sunday’s encounter, adding further glamour to the occasion.
Members of the Naze All Stars who have confirmed participation include Ikuku Oma, Prof. Joe-Ken Nzerem, Ejike Urewuji, Nda Gboko, Oga Ekete, Oga Sarge, Oga Cho Cho, Man of God, Baba Urch, Oga Eshi ke Naze, Chief Agba I, Mmiri the Crown Prince (goalkeeper), Mr. Obiọma, Alkaline, among others.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup1 week ago
Infantino promises FIFA backing for Iran to play at World Cup
- Governing Bodies5 days ago
The Building of Another Sports Dynasty: From Fahmy to Adamu
- AFCON2 days ago
Motsepe in Dakar: CAF Intensifies Diplomatic Push After AFCON Final Dispute
- Boxing4 days ago
Wilder edges retiring Chisora in chaotic heavyweight boxing fight
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
NFF to inaugurate electoral committees ahead of September elections
- Table Tennis1 week ago
Aruna Faces Tough Draw as Africa Targets Glory at ITTF World Cup in Macao
- World Cup6 days ago
Italy federation chief resigns after another World Cup failure
- AWARDS4 days ago
Night of Stars: Dikko, Oshodi Lead Roll Call of Honour at 2026 Sportsville Awards