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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