The world over, some athletes who made fame and fortune overseas return house within the twilight of their careers to function function fashions to rising stars. Ex-Tremendous Eagles gamers, together with the licensed coaches amongst them, have been additionally inspired to take up roles within the Nigerian Skilled Soccer League (NPFL) after a futile seek for nationwide crew jobs. GOWON AKPODONOR writes on the probabilities of re-shaping the Nigerian League by gamers and managers which have up to now returned to the home league.
English author and politician, Joseph Addison, as soon as stated that his power service to humanity was made well-known by giving again in money and type. This, maybe, was to pay the society again for all of the pure presents – abilities, alternatives, and publicity – it bestowed on him.
In keeping with Addison’s philosophy, many footballers from South American nations, in addition to, some in Europe discover pleasure in going again to their native leagues to spend the final days of their careers in entrance of these whose adoration helped to propel them to stardom.
These getting old returnees not solely present leisure to their followers, however additionally they contribute their quota to guiding rising abilities to become superstars with their expertise and counsel.Not too long ago, the Nigerian Premier Soccer League (NPFL) witnessed the return of gamers and coaches to the native league after their sojourn overseas. Prior to now, some gamers, who couldn’t hit the bottom working in Europe returned house to re-launch their careers within the NPFL, however the newest development is that some gamers deemed to have had profitable careers overseas are returning to mild up the native scene.
Amongst these gamers are former Tremendous Eagles’ captain, Ahmed Musa, and Abdullahi Shehu, who’ve made Kano Pillars one of the adopted golf equipment this season, in addition to, Brown Ideye and Junior Lokosa, who’ve joined Enyimba Soccer Membership of Aba in its quest to return to the continent subsequent season. There may be additionally 2014 World Cup star, Michael Uchebo, who’s again in Enugu Rangers.
Musa is on his third stint with Kano Pillars, whereas Abdullahi is on his second run for the northern giants. It’s the first return for Brown Ideye within the NPFL.
These gamers, who’ve seen all of it within the sport taking part in in a number of the huge leagues in Europe, are bringing their experiences to elevate the native league and likewise draw the group to the stands because it was earlier than European soccer on tv stole the native followers away from the stadiums.
Aside from gamers, some former internationals, who are actually licensed coaches have taken up the duty of teaching native groups so as to add their expertise and information to the expansion of the sport.
The NPFL Match Day 20 conflict of February 2, 2025, on the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, Imo State, rekindled previous flames with the sweat retailers being a part of Nigeria’s Golden Technology.
That encounter pitched former African Footballer of the Yr, Emmanuel Amunike, in opposition to one of many deadliest wingers from the African continent, George Finidi.
For years, the duo dominated the house taking part in for the Tremendous Eagles, serving to the nation to its second Africa Cup of Nations victory on the Tunisia ‘94 version earlier than Nigeria’s historic first look on the World Cup on the USA ’94, in addition to, the Atlanta ’96 Olympics the place they received the gold medal.
Their assembly in Owerri on February 2, 2025, was for a distinct purpose- each have been on a mission to safe league factors that might increase their golf equipment’ quest for continental tickets this season.
Whereas Amunike is main the technical crew of Owerri-based Heartland FC, Finidi performs an analogous function at Rivers United.Amunike had a sluggish begin with Heartland FC within the first stanza of the NPFL however is presently steering the ship to security, whereas Finidi is main the title-chasing Rivers United within the league. Till not too long ago, one other member of the “Golden technology of Nigerian soccer,” Daniel Amokachi was the gaffer at Lobi Stars of Makurdi. However he has left the membership owing to irreconcilable variations with the administration of the membership.
Aside from the coaches, a number of the retired gamers are actually within the thick of membership administration. Two ex-players, Nwankwo Kanu, one other outstanding member of the category of ’94 Eagles is taking part in his function as chairman of Enyimba FC of Aba, whereas Ifeanyi Ekwueme, one other former Tremendous Eagle, is the sports activities director of the nation’s most profitable membership. This growth, in accordance with consultants, may very well be the muse for the return of the Nigerian league to prominence if nicely managed. Thrilled by the return of ex-Tremendous Eagles stars to the NPFL, U.S.-based former worldwide midfielder, Paul Okoku, a philanthropist, described the event as a step ahead for Nigerian soccer.
“The return of ex-Tremendous Eagles brings hope, and holds the potential to not solely rejuvenate the league but additionally rekindle the eagerness of followers who yearn for a aggressive, high-quality soccer expertise on house soil,” Okoku stated. “This initiative is undoubtedly a win-win for the NPFL and Nigeria. The experience and world expertise of those soccer icons mixed with a renewed dedication to equity and professionalism will create a league that Nigerians could be pleased with. With the appropriate constructions in place, this marks the start of a brighter and extra sustainable future for Nigerian soccer.”
Okoku, a member of the Inexperienced Eagles’ squad that grabbed a silver medal on the 1984 Africa Nations Cup, in Cote d’Ivoire, and likewise the vice-captain of the 1983 class of the Flying Eagles, nevertheless, believes that the gamers’ presence alone can’t make the competitors nice once more as many envisage.
To him, for the continued transformation to succeed, the league should uphold the very best requirements of integrity.“For these little positive aspects to make any which means, the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) and the league managers should be sure that officiating is honest, clear, and freed from any type of bias or favouritism,” Okoku stated. “Pointless penalties or questionable choices that favour house groups have to be prevented in any respect prices. Followers have to belief that victories are earned via talent, dedication, and benefit. This stage of transparency and professionalism will restore credibility to the NPFL, encouraging followers to return and assist their favorite groups with delight,” he stated.
Okoku added that “equally essential is the necessity to deal with these returning legends and their gamers with the respect they deserve. Well timed cost of salaries and satisfactory assist are important. Moreover, coaches have to be empowered to pick out their gamers primarily based on benefit and crew technique, somewhat than having gamers imposed on them by officers with private agendas. When coaches are given full management and gamers really feel valued, their dedication and efficiency will elevate the league to new heights,” Okoku said.
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports activities, Paul Bassey, in a latest interview, stated that golf equipment signal returning gamers as a result of they’ll add their qualities to their crew.
Bassey who’s the Chairman of Akwa United Soccer Membership stated: “I wouldn’t name them returning gamers as a result of most of them are within the nation to maintain match whereas making an attempt to safe new offers overseas. Whereas within the nation, they should preserve match and stay related; so, they search for golf equipment within the home league to affix.
“Golf equipment go for such gamers and provide them a season-long contract as a result of they imagine that the gamers will add worth to the groups. Whereas doing that, they make a number of sacrifices – discount in bills and so forth.
“As an example, after we had Juwon Oshaniwa, we found that he might add worth to the crew as a result of he was nonetheless in good type. So, we talked to his middleman and received a season-long take care of him. It allowed him to stay match and likewise preserve on the lookout for a crew overseas however on the finish of the season.” He stated that these gamers’ presence within the league attracts followers to the stadiums as a result of they need to watch the large names taking part in for his or her groups.
“It occurs all over the place on this planet. Massive-name gamers appeal to the followers and thus add worth to the league and the financial system of the golf equipment.” Kano Pillars’ Hilary Ikenna, who performed for Valletta FC of Slovenia earlier than becoming a member of the Kano-based membership in 2019, says that taking part in on synthetic surfaces within the home league makes it powerful for returning gamers to adapt to the NPFL.
Ikenna stated: “The main problem and distinction we normally have when returning to play in Nigeria is the turf. We’re largely used to taking part in on pure grasses exterior the nation, however most pitches right here within the nation are synthetic, and that makes it tough to regulate. “Most of us return to the nation to attend for brand new alternatives in Europe or wherever else, the place the deal will probably be higher than what we have now right here. The deal we signal right here is generally not long-term so we are able to depart instantly if any alternative comes knocking.
“We make a number of sacrifices as a result of a participant who’s used to incomes a lot in {dollars} has to regulate to the irregular and small sum of money coming in from home golf equipment. However I imagine that it’s at all times good for gamers to return to play within the nation when they’re out of contract somewhat than waste their time in Europe ready for brand new alternatives.”
The proprietor of Cable Soccer Academy, Coach Edwin Onovwotafe thinks that the return of the likes of Amunike, Amokachi, and Finidi might improve the efficiency of the NPFL golf equipment in continental competitions.
“I really feel the return of those legends ought to be celebrated,” Onovwotafe, advised The Guardian, including: “Their contributions to the league will probably be much more measurable and important than these of gamers like Ahmed Musa and Brown Ideye, who, regardless of their worldwide expertise, can solely affect the sport at their membership stage, for now. It’s because, on the finish of the day, coaches will probably be judged by efficiency, not like the gamers.”
“Not like previously, followers going to the stadium can look as much as a coach with a wealthy soccer historical past shelling out directions from the bench. As one of many largest followers of the Nigerian league in the intervening time, each week, I pay my strategy to completely different venues to look at matches. Because the return of Amunike, Amokachi, and Finidi, my enthusiasm has elevated. Extra followers have additionally joined as a result of we imagine their return will improve the invention of extra homegrown abilities—and, by extension, impression their probabilities of touchdown larger alternatives other than making the nationwide groups,” Onovwotafe said.
Finidi’s observe report is already promising. The final time he managed a crew within the NPFL, Enyimba FC, he went on to win the league title in June 2023. Given his earlier success, the chances are excessive that he might replicate this achievement with Rivers United.
“Gamers solely impression a part of the sport, however managers like Finidi, Amunike, and Amokachi are answerable for everything of the golf equipment,” Onovwotafe stated. “They’re answerable for how their crew performs, the methods they make use of, and in the end, the result of every match.
“Their choices on crew construction, sport plans, and participant administration are essential, and the outcomes relaxation closely on their skill to get it proper. Their huge expertise, coupled with their skill to adapt, is what’s going to set them other than different coaches within the NPFL this season,” he said.
On the returning gamers, Onovwotafe stated their affect would lie within the immeasurable qualities that they bring about to the NPFL, together with management, professionalism, and a deep understanding of the sport that goes far past statistics.
“Ahmed Musa, Shehu Abdullahi, and Brown Ideye performed throughout a number of continents, and I really feel their presence within the NPFL will add a stage of understanding and tactical perception that may solely come from years of competing on the highest ranges,” Onovwotafe stated.
“As an attacker, Ahmed Musa brings a dynamic edge to Kano Pillars and we have now seen his contributions since he joined the membership. Shehu Abdullahi’s function as a defender provides stability to their backline. Brown Ideye can also be pulling his weight with Enyimba FC.
“Their huge experiences, which embody representing Nigeria on the World Cup and taking part in for golf equipment with excessive stakes in Europe and past, will certainly sharpen their sport consciousness and skill to carry out underneath strain. Their presence will elevate the assault, permitting the crew to construct performs with confidence, understanding they’ve a participant able to ending probabilities or creating them for others. These are qualities Kano Pillars and Enyimba FC stand to learn from,” Onovwotafe said.
