Nigerian Football
SPORTS VETERANS SALUTE FORMER GREEN EAGLES’ MANAGER, PETER OSUGO AT 90
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
The Association of Sports Veterans, Nigeria (ASVN) has congratulated Peter Osugo, a former manager of Nigeria’s football team, the then Green Eagles as he clocks 90 on Easter Sunday.
In a statement issued by the association’s president, Chief Jonathan Ogufere, a former NFA chieftain who was also a president of the West African Football Union (WAFU), he thanked God for the life of Osugo, whom he said has had a fulfilled life.
He revealed that the family of Osugo would have a thanksgiving mass at St. Dominic Catholic Chuech in Yaba, Lagos at 11.00 while reception followed immediately after at the YCC Hall of the church.
Osugo, fondly called, Pecos, is an accomplished journalist and sports administrator. He was the team manager to the national team at the Mexico 1968 Olympic Games.
It is also worthy to note that he was the person who changed the name of the Nigerian national football team from the “Red Devils” nickname given it by Harriet Allen in 1958 to the Green Eagles in 1961.
Harriet Allen, the wife of the then NFA secretary, Reginald Banham Allen who later became the chairman, was one of the founders of the now Nigeria Football Supporters’ Association in 1958.
She
was fondly called the ‘Lady in Scarlet’ and was the chair leader of the
Nigerian football team, which often dressed in red.
Peter Osugo rechristened the team “Green Eagles”. While reporting on the Nigeria preparation for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match with Ghana, Osugo wrote in the Daily Times edition of April 15, 1961: “I propose to christen the team, the ‘Green Eagles’ The name stuck until March 1988 when Vice President Augustus Aikhomu renamed the team as “Super Eagles”.
Osugo was also one of the early officials of Stationery Stores in the 1960s. He was appointed as the team manager in 1961. At the time Osugo drew up a six-year programme to produce what he called a “model club for Nigeria”.
It came to pass. At the height of Stores dominance of football in Nigeria under Osugo’s guidance, the club produced nine of the starting 11 of the Nigerian national team to the 1968 Olympics.
Osugo’s prowess was not limited to sports management. He was a sports writer who rose to become an editor of Sunday Times in 1965.
As a sports writer, he was noted for his descriptive style and power of expression. For instance, reporting a Lagos versus Northern Region football match at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, in 1965, Osugo began his account as follows:
“Drama of blunders, of indecision and utter violation of rules of the game on the officials’ side, nearly marred last night’s match, the second in the flood-lit soccer festival between North and Lagos”.
Eventually, Osugo got round to mentioning the score line, 1-1, which obviously was not particularly important to him as nearly everyone who read him, knew the result, which the electronic media had flashed.
What was more important to his readers was his point of view on how the result came about.
Another story in 1965, a Western Region’s 2-0 win over Eastern Region, is flowery and liberal with words and images. It could still capture readers’ imagination:
“Thunder” Balogun’s bunch of the “unknowns” who formed the bulk of Western Rovers’ team carried with them an element of surprise in the opening match of the flood – lit soccer festival, at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium last night when they slammed the Eastern team 2-0.
“The stadium gave them resounding cheers – a true acknowledgment of the ravishing, top-speed soccer which thrilled them to the utmost throughout the duration of play.
“Even the Northern Premier, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, who was the guest of honour, was so enthused that he sat in throughout in spite of the windy conditions and biting drizzle, which persisted for more than three quarters of play.
“Ayoola, Ajibade, Salami, Falayi and Omowon in the Western attack were moving like quick silver, and from the rear, Oshilowo, Peter Ali, Boade and Ali (Snr) were supplying the necessary line which set such a devastating mobility to a point of driving the Eastern players into a frizzed wreck…”
For almost a decade, Osugo maintained a sports column in the Sunday Times.
Remo Stars were beaten by a two-goal margin as they lost 3-1 to Plateau United. The same fate befell their western neighbours, Shooting Stars who lost 2-0 to Rivers United in Port Harcourt.
Both results meant that the leadership of the league is captured by Rivers United, pushing Remo Stars to the second position after seven matches.
For Remo Stars destiny was shaped by the rampaging Franklin Anthony whose hattrick gave Plateau United their victory.
Plateau United struck early in the match, shooting ahead in the fifth minute and completed the rout in the second half through goals in the 64th and 70th minutes.
Remo Stars only stalled the tide through Jabbar Malik in the 83rd minute.
In Port Harcourt, Rivers United prevailed over Shooting Stars with a 2-0 win. After a goalless first half, Aniekeme Okon put the home side in the lead in the 50th minute and Ndifreke Effiong Udo doubled the lead in the 65th minute.
The result lifted the side into the top spot with 17 points and a better goal difference of eight which is the highest by any team in the ongoing season.
In Benin, Bendel Insurance bounced back from Ikorodu City’s defeat last weekend in Lagos and recorded a resounding 3-0 win against visiting Bayelsa United in the early kick-off tie.
Kayode Oke Solomon opened the score for the home side in the 17th minute and Nnamdi Anthony doubled the lead in the 78th minute before Micheal Enaruna scored the third goal in added time.
In Owerri, coach Emmanuel Amuneke of Heartland FC had to work harder and salvaged a point at home against resurgent Ikorodu City who scored first in the 5th minute via Salaudeen Taiwo but Chukwuma Agor secured parity for the home side in a 1-1 scoreline in the 66th minute.
Katsina United pipped Akwa United by a lone goal scored by Azeez Falolu in the 27th minute.
Action resumes this weekend as leaders, River United will play away ay at Niger Tornadoes while Remo Stars will host Bendel Insurance in Ikenne just as Shooting welcomes Katsina United and Ikorodu City will host Lobi Stars.
El-Kanemi Warriors will continue their season’s unbeaten run as they host Enyimba while Bayelsa United will host Heartland of Owerri and Akwa United will welcome Enugu Rangers in Uyo.
Ahmed Musa’s Kano Pillars will hope to continue their winning streak as the host Kwara United and Sunshine Stars will host Nasarawa United and Abia Warriors will host Plateau United in Abakaliki.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is on the rise and has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, largely thanks to the unwavering commitment of strategic partners to the NPFL, GTI Group. By laying down robust structures for transparency and accountability, GTI Group has significantly helped to improve the integrity and reputation of the elite league, ensuring that every dime from sponsors and investors of The Nigeria Football Fund (TNFF) are meticulously utilised and accounted for.
GTI’s initiative to enhance transparency in the NPFL goes beyond mere intentions; it involves concrete actions that laid the groundwork for accountability. This commitment not only bolsters the league’s financial health but also promotes confidence among stakeholders, including fans, sponsors and players.
One of the critical challenges that faced the NPFL before the coming of GTI Group in the 2022/2023 season was crowd violence. However, the financial investment firm and the NPFL Board led by Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye have worked harmoniously and tackled this issue head-on by implementing measures to curb this menace at match venues.
The placement of trained security personnel, implementation of zero tolerance to crowd violence and the issuance of fines against erring clubs cum their fans have fostered a safer environment for lovers of the beautiful game in the country. As a result, match attendance has astronomically increased, allowing for a more vibrant and supportive atmosphere.
The enhanced transparency in match operations by NPFL has also sparked renewed hope and a sense of friendly competition among clubs. With the increase in fair play and adherence to regulations, fans and players alike are experiencing a new wave of excitement. This was exemplified on Match Day 3 of the ongoing 2024/2025 season, where the league witnessed an impressive display of five-star performance: five away wins, three draws, and two home wins. This feat has never happened in the history of the elite league and reflects the blossoming football economy of Africa’s most populous nation.
GTI Group and NPFL’s relentless effort has laid the foundation for a prosperous league that attracts local and international talents from neighboring countries in the round-leather game. By focusing on transparency, infrastructural development and security, GTI and NPFL are not just transforming the league but creating a sustainable environment where football can thrive.
As we celebrate these positive changes, it is essential to acknowledge the role of every stakeholder in this journey. The NPFL is no longer just a platform for entertainment; it is a thriving business-oriented industry with the potential to inspire future generations.
The transformation of the NPFL, championed by GTI Group, reflects a brighter future for Nigerian football. With the ongoing commitment and collaboration, the NPFL will continue to flourish, bringing glory to clubs and excitement to fans across the world.
Nigerian champions, Enugu Rangers have been beaten 4-3 by visiting Kano Pillars in the Match Day 7 of the Nigeria Premier Football League.
The visitors went into the lead in 15th minute when Rabiu Ali converted a penalty kick. They doubled the lead in the 28th minute through Zulkifilu Rabiu before Rabiu Ali extended the lead to 3-0 in the 37th minute after converting another penalty kick.
The game turned into a nightmare for Rangers as Ahmed Musa made it 4-0 in the first minute of the added time.
Rangers began a fight back in the opening minutes of the second half as Isaac Saviour pulled a goal back in the 47th minute. Twelve minute later he scored a second goal to reduce the tally to 4-2. Emmanuel Silas Nenrot made the score line a more respectable for Rangers when he scored a third goal in the added time.
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