Sports

We Will Perfect Our Strategies Before NNL Kickoff – City FC Chairman

Published

2 months ago

July 27, 2025

By Joel Ajayi

Chairman of City FC, popularly known as the Citizens, Hon. Chidi Okonkwo, has assured fans that the club will fine-tune its strategies and improve overall readiness before the commencement of the 2025 Nigeria National League (NNL) season.

Speaking on Sunday in Abuja after his side played out a 1-1 draw against Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Nasarawa United in a pre-season friendly, Chidi described the game as a critical test of his team’s preparedness.

“We invited Nasarawa United deliberately because they are a more experienced side. The match exposed some of our weaknesses and showed us where we need to improve before the league kicks off,” he said.

Chidi emphasized that the club is taking a more measured and structured approach this time, learning from past experiences. “When we launched in 2021, we were too eager and pushed too fast for Premier League status. Football doesn’t work like that—it requires time, structure, and patience.”

He reiterated that the team’s current focus is on gradual development, both on and off the pitch. “We want to see the real City FC again. Our goal now is to build solid foundations. This includes perfecting our tactical approach and, importantly, improving infrastructure.”

As part of this long-term vision, Chidi revealed that efforts are underway to build a mini stadium for the club—an initiative he believes will lay the groundwork for future success. “Infrastructure is everything. Even if we get promoted to the NPFL, where would we play? That’s why we are prioritizing the stadium project. By God’s grace, we can achieve that within the next two to three years.”

He drew inspiration from Remo Stars’ owner, Kunle Soname, whose investment in infrastructure has transformed the Ikenne-based club. “Remo Stars is a model club because they invested in the right things. That’s the approach I’m adopting for City FC—we must think and act like football entrepreneurs.”

Chidi also acknowledged the financial challenges faced by private football clubs in Nigeria, pointing out the contrast with other African nations. “In countries like Egypt and Tanzania, corporate sponsorship is more accessible. Here, you have to survive through meticulous financial planning.”

He noted that strategic player transfers will also play a role in keeping the club financially stable. “Selling one or two players each season is necessary. It’s part of our sustainability model.”

Looking ahead, the City FC Chairman reaffirmed his commitment to preparing the team both tactically and structurally before thinking about promotion to the NPFL.
“This season and the next will be all about planning and perfecting our strategies—on the pitch and in infrastructure. Once the stadium is up, we’ll then talk about Premier League ambitions,” he concluded.

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Sports

FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification

Published

10 hours ago

October 5, 2025

The Gleamer

Legal Practitioner And Administrator Barr Bucknor Threatens To Petition FCT Minister Over Abandoned Stadiums

Despite Nigeria’s precarious position in the race for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Barrister Babatunde Burknor, a board member of the FCT Football Association (FA), remains hopeful that the Super Eagles can still secure qualification.

Nigeria currently sits third in their qualification group with 11 points from 8 matches, trailing Benin Republic and South Africa, who both lead with 14 points. Yet Burknor, a seasoned football administrator and grassroots sports advocate, believes all is not lost.

In a recent interview made available to BSN Sports, Burknor said: “Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may appear almost impossible, but that doesn’t mean it is out of reach. The situation is tough, yes, but looking at the quality of players in our squad, I still believe we can make it.”

He added that unexpected results from other group rivals could work in Nigeria’s favour.

“Football is unpredictable. There is still a chance that South Africa, Benin Republic, or Rwanda could drop points. If we win our remaining two games, we still stand a chance. Sometimes football reflects life where the strong may fall while the seemingly weak stand tall.”

Calls for Grassroots Reform in the FCT

Beyond national team concerns, Burknor also used the opportunity to address the state of sports development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take concrete action to revamp local infrastructure.

“We have deep-rooted problems when it comes to grassroots sports. The major issue is a lack of funding and commitment from those charged with driving development at that level,” he said.

Burknor lamented the disappearance of once-thriving youth competitions like the Chairman’s Cup, Principal’s Cup, and Shell Cup, stating that such events played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent.

“It’s disheartening that these programs are no longer active. Development is impossible without facilities, yet we lack even basic training grounds.”

The legal luminary revealed that he personally upgraded the sports facility at a government secondary school in his area to serve as a makeshift training centre, due to the absence of a functioning local stadium.

He is currently drafting a petition to Minister Wike, over abandoned stadiums in FCT, urging a comprehensive audit of officials responsible for sports development across the six Area Councils of the FCT.

Progress in Gwagwalada Football Development

As Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council, Burknor highlighted the success of the Gwagwalada Football League, which has become a model for other Area Councils.

“In just two years, we’ve turned the Gwagwalada Football League into a success story. Several players from the league have already secured contracts in Europe. This shows what can be achieved with vision and consistency.”

Barrister Burknor, emphasized that grassroots football holds the key to Nigeria’s long-term football success and must be taken seriously.

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