Sports

Uchechukwu Onuoha Double Secures Kun Khalifat Vital Away Win Over Abia Warriors

Published

5 months ago

May 10, 2026

Our Reporter

Nigeria Premier Football League

Uchechukwu Chibuike Onuoha delivered another decisive performance for Kun Khalifat FC, scoring twice as the visitors secured an impressive 2–0 victory over Abia Warriors in an NPFL Matchday 37 encounter at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

The 18-year-old winger struck early and added a second before half-time, giving Kun Khalifat a crucial away victory and further underlining his growing influence during the closing stages of his breakthrough NPFL campaign.

Onuoha strikes early

Kun Khalifat needed just three minutes to take the lead, with Onuoha finding the breakthrough almost immediately after kick-off.

The young attacker then doubled the advantage in the 42nd minute, completing his brace before the interval and putting the visitors firmly in control.

Despite Abia Warriors’ efforts to respond after the break, Kun Khalifat’s disciplined performance ensured that the two-goal advantage remained intact until the final whistle.

The result represented a significant away victory for Kun Khalifat, particularly given the pressure surrounding the club’s position in the NPFL standings with only one match remaining.

A match-winning contribution

Onuoha’s two goals were more than simply a personal milestone. They directly shaped one of the most important results of Kun Khalifat’s campaign.

The teenager’s first-half brace effectively settled the contest before the break, allowing Kun Khalifat to manage the second half from a position of strength.

His performance also continued an impressive run of form. Earlier in the season, Onuoha had already begun establishing himself as an attacking threat, but his ability to produce two goals in a crucial away fixture demonstrated an increasing capacity to influence important matches.

A decisive first-half performance

The contest was effectively decided during a dominant first-half display from Kun Khalifat, with Onuoha providing the finishing touch on both occasions.

His opening goal gave the visitors an early advantage and immediately put Abia Warriors on the back foot. Rather than allowing the hosts to recover, Kun Khalifat maintained their attacking momentum and continued to threaten in the final third.

Onuoha’s second goal, arriving shortly before the interval, proved particularly important. It gave Kun Khalifat a comfortable two-goal cushion going into half-time and placed the responsibility firmly on Abia Warriors to find a way back into the contest.

The hosts were unable to produce a response after the restart, as Kun Khalifat protected their advantage and managed the remainder of the game effectively.

For Onuoha, the brace represented a complete match-winning contribution. His two finishes accounted for all of Kun Khalifat’s goals and ensured that the visitors left with a valuable three points from Umuahia.

The 2–0 scoreline also reflected Kun Khalifat’s efficiency on the day: they created the decisive moments, capitalised on their opportunities and ultimately kept Abia Warriors from finding a way onto the scoresheet.

From promising winger to decisive performer

Onuoha’s emergence has been one of the encouraging individual stories surrounding Kun Khalifat’s campaign.

Having made the transition from academy football to senior professional football, the teenager has increasingly demonstrated that he can make an impact at NPFL level.

His display against Abia Warriors offered another indication of that progression.

Rather than simply contributing with flashes of attacking quality, Onuoha was directly responsible for the outcome, scoring twice to secure an away victory against an established NPFL opponent.

For a young player still at the beginning of his professional journey, such performances can be important markers of development.

A memorable night in Aba

Kun Khalifat’s 2–0 victory over Abia Warriors will be remembered as a crucial result in their fight for survival, but it was also another significant chapter in Onuoha’s emergence.

With two goals, a clean-sheet victory and three valuable points secured away from home, Onuoha once again demonstrated his ability to deliver when his team needed him most.

For Kun Khalifat, the victory provided a major boost at a critical point of the campaign.

For Onuoha, it was another statement performance in a debut NPFL season that is increasingly marking him out as one of the young attacking players to watch.

Share on Facebook

Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

15 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

Share on Facebook