Sports

NNL: Okonkwo Urges City FC Players to Raise Game in NPFL Promotion Hunt

Published

9 months ago

December 25, 2025

Cyril Ogar

Chairman of City Football Club of Abuja, Chidi Okonkwo, has challenged his players to raise their performance levels as the Nigeria National League (NNL) enters its decisive second round, insisting that promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) remains the club’s ultimate target for the 2025/2026 season.

Okonkwo gave the charge while speaking at the club’s maiden End-of-Year Celebration and Awards Night held on Wednesday in Abuja, where he urged the players to leave no stone unturned in their quest for promotion.

The event, organised to reward outstanding performances and motivate players and stakeholders ahead of the second half of the season, coincided with the Christmas period.

It also marked the first time an NNL club in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) hosted a formal end-of-year celebration and awards ceremony.
“I never knew it would be this way. Today is December 24 and tomorrow is Christmas, yet you all took time to honour me and City FC,” Okonkwo said.

“This event is to encourage my boys — my wonderful boys. I call them my children because they make me happy every day.”

Describing his deep emotional attachment to the club, the chairman recalled rejecting advice from a close friend to sell the team, a decision strongly supported by his family.

While commending the players for their efforts in the first round of the NNL season, Okonkwo noted that their performances fell short of his expectations.

“They have tried, but it is not enough for my liking. Football is about performance, not just results. I want to see good football,” he said.

“This event is meant to motivate those who are not giving their best and encourage those who have done well to do even better.”

Okonkwo stressed that the second round of the league would be crucial for City FC, noting that the team has more home fixtures to play after enduring a demanding first round dominated by away matches.

“Our aim this season is promotion, and we have the team to achieve it,” he said.

“Recall that this team went to Tanzania and won a tournament involving champions from different countries as the only second-division side. If we bring that same mentality into the NNL, nobody should come close to us.”

Beyond the club’s immediate ambition, Okonkwo also outlined his broader vision for football development in the FCT, expressing his desire to make the sport a strong cultural identity in Abuja.

“Sometimes I feel football is not as strong in Abuja as the vision I have for it. I want to do more to make people show real interest in football here,” he said.

“I believe very soon football will become one of the first languages spoken in this city.”

Despite acknowledging the competitive nature of the NNL, the City FC chairman expressed confidence in the club’s prospects.

“I’m not worried about relegation — that is out of the question. My concern is promotion. We will keep pushing and see where we end up at the close of the season,” he said.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards to individuals and organisations that contributed to the club’s progress during the year. Institutional awards included the Guardians of Fair Play Award to the Nigeria Referees Association, FCT Chapter, and the Guardians of Development Award to the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, FCT Chapter.

Individual honours went to Chinasa Ezekwueme (Fan of the Year), Daniel Jacob (Most Consistent Player), Sunday Dongs (Fans’ Favourite), Sunday Oliseh (Most Behaved Player), Joseph Donaltus (Most Impactful Player and Player of the Season 2025), Simon Isek (Most Promising Player), and Richard Yamoah (Clubman of the Year).

Okonkwo concluded by urging the players to enjoy the Christmas break responsibly while reflecting on their performances and preparing mentally for a strong second-round campaign.

“Christmas is not just for enjoyment,” he said.
“You must think, plan, and return ready to achieve our goal.”

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Sports

AACT 2026: 31 Days to Africa’s Big Sporting Gathering in Abuja

Published

4 hours ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The countdown to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) has officially entered the final month, with just 31 days to go before Africa’s leading women’s team golf championship tees off at the IBB International Golf & Country Club in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the AACT 2026Director of Communication Kayode Adeniyi on Friday in Abuja.

Under the theme “Africa Is Coming to Abuja,” the countdown campaign will spotlight the championship, the participating nations, the players, the host venue and the growing development of women’s golf across the continent.

The 2026 AACT, scheduled for November 2–7, will bring together women’s golfing talent from across Africa for six days of continental competition in Nigeria’s capital.

As preparations continue at the IBB International Golf & Country Club, attention is increasingly turning to Abuja, where the championship will provide a platform for African golfers to compete while also showcasing Nigeria’s hospitality and the country’s growing profile as a destination for major sporting events.

The countdown will feature daily stories, interviews, player and country profiles, tournament facts, behind-the-scenes updates and features on the host venue as the championship draws closer.

The campaign will also highlight the role of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the Local Organising Committee and other stakeholders in preparing for the continental championship.

With just 31 days remaining, anticipation is building across the African golfing community as Abuja prepares to welcome the continent’s leading women golfers.

Africa is coming to Abuja.

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