Sports

NCF Unveils Steve Tikolo From Kenya As New Head Coach and Performance Manager

Published

3 years ago

October 23, 2022

Joel Ajayi
The Nigeria Cricket Federation is pleased to announce Steve Tikolo from Kenya as the new Head Coach and High Performance Manager. Tikolo who was unveiled at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Lagos was received by the President of the Federation Mr. Uyi Akpata.
In a Press statement issued by Public Relations Officer of NCF Musa Ehizoje Bodie on Sunday in Abuja.

Following the re-structuring of the coaching department in the Federation, Tikolo will head the Senior Men’s team to be assisted by our National Coach Mr. Uthe Clive Ogbimi, while other coaching structures will remain the same. Steve, who was also in a meeting with the General Manager of the Federation Mr. Emeka Igwilo, will meet with other indigenous coaches and the Technical Director as he continues to familiarize with his new environment. His initial contract will run for 2 years with his first opportunity to meet with the senior team players when they resume camp on the 31st of October 2022.

Invited Players to the camp include, Sylvester Okpe, Isaac Okpe, Sesan Adedeji, Peter Aho, Prosper Useni, Akhere Isesele, Joshua Asia, Onwuzilike Chimezie, Ademola Onikoyi.

Other are Ajekun Daniel, Ifeanyi Uboh, Ridwan Abdulkareem, Ashmit Sherestha, Vincent Adewoye, Chiemelie Udekwe, Eghosa Aghedo, Sulaimon Runsewe, Samuel Mba, Abdulmumuni Mohammedand Boniface Oche.

The camp has been called in preparation for ICC T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifier slated for Rwanda in November 2022. Nigeria has been drawn in Group B’ alongside Eswatini, Ghana, Mozambique, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and The Gambia.

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Sports

Game Changer: ₦40 Billion Infusion Set to Revolutionize Nigerian Football

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigerian football is on the cusp of a major transformation, thanks to a groundbreaking ₦40 billion investment from Toptier Sports Management.

The 10-year strategic investment is set to supercharge the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) and the Nigeria National League (NNL), marking a seismic shift in the country’s domestic football landscape.

“This is a long-term investment in structure, people, and possibilities,” said Chichi Nwoko, Founder of Toptier Sports Management.

“If Nigerian football is going to truly compete, it must be built deliberately, funded properly, and managed professionally. That is what this ₦40 billion commitment represents.”

Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General, National Sports Commission (NSC) said “this ₦40 billion commitment is a clear vote of confidence in the reforms taking place across Nigerian sports. At the Commission, we are intentional about creating an environment where credible private investors can partner with government to build sustainable leagues, protect athlete welfare, and grow the sports economy.”

Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, President, Nigeria Football Federation stated that “the NFF welcomes this collaboration because it strengthens our domestic football ecosystem, improving player welfare, enhancing club operations, and creating clear development pathways, particularly for women and emerging talents. This is how we build a future-ready Nigerian football system.”

The massive investment will drive league commercialization, club development, player welfare, and grassroots expansion, setting the stage for a brighter future for Nigerian football.

“We would like to sincerely thank the Director General of the National Sports Commission and the President of the Nigeria Football Federation for their leadership, support, and belief in a private-sector-led future for Nigerian sports,” Nwoko added.

League officials have hailed the deal as a turning point, shifting Nigerian football from short-term funding cycles to sustainable institution-building over the next decade.

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