Nigerian Football
SPORTS VETERANS SALUTE FORMER GREEN EAGLES’ MANAGER, PETER OSUGO AT 90
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
The Association of Sports Veterans, Nigeria (ASVN) has congratulated Peter Osugo, a former manager of Nigeria’s football team, the then Green Eagles as he clocks 90 on Easter Sunday.
In a statement issued by the association’s president, Chief Jonathan Ogufere, a former NFA chieftain who was also a president of the West African Football Union (WAFU), he thanked God for the life of Osugo, whom he said has had a fulfilled life.
He revealed that the family of Osugo would have a thanksgiving mass at St. Dominic Catholic Chuech in Yaba, Lagos at 11.00 while reception followed immediately after at the YCC Hall of the church.
Osugo, fondly called, Pecos, is an accomplished journalist and sports administrator. He was the team manager to the national team at the Mexico 1968 Olympic Games.
It is also worthy to note that he was the person who changed the name of the Nigerian national football team from the “Red Devils” nickname given it by Harriet Allen in 1958 to the Green Eagles in 1961.
Harriet Allen, the wife of the then NFA secretary, Reginald Banham Allen who later became the chairman, was one of the founders of the now Nigeria Football Supporters’ Association in 1958.
She
was fondly called the ‘Lady in Scarlet’ and was the chair leader of the
Nigerian football team, which often dressed in red.
Peter Osugo rechristened the team “Green Eagles”. While reporting on the Nigeria preparation for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match with Ghana, Osugo wrote in the Daily Times edition of April 15, 1961: “I propose to christen the team, the ‘Green Eagles’ The name stuck until March 1988 when Vice President Augustus Aikhomu renamed the team as “Super Eagles”.
Osugo was also one of the early officials of Stationery Stores in the 1960s. He was appointed as the team manager in 1961. At the time Osugo drew up a six-year programme to produce what he called a “model club for Nigeria”.
It came to pass. At the height of Stores dominance of football in Nigeria under Osugo’s guidance, the club produced nine of the starting 11 of the Nigerian national team to the 1968 Olympics.
Osugo’s prowess was not limited to sports management. He was a sports writer who rose to become an editor of Sunday Times in 1965.
As a sports writer, he was noted for his descriptive style and power of expression. For instance, reporting a Lagos versus Northern Region football match at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, in 1965, Osugo began his account as follows:
“Drama of blunders, of indecision and utter violation of rules of the game on the officials’ side, nearly marred last night’s match, the second in the flood-lit soccer festival between North and Lagos”.
Eventually, Osugo got round to mentioning the score line, 1-1, which obviously was not particularly important to him as nearly everyone who read him, knew the result, which the electronic media had flashed.
What was more important to his readers was his point of view on how the result came about.
Another story in 1965, a Western Region’s 2-0 win over Eastern Region, is flowery and liberal with words and images. It could still capture readers’ imagination:
“Thunder” Balogun’s bunch of the “unknowns” who formed the bulk of Western Rovers’ team carried with them an element of surprise in the opening match of the flood – lit soccer festival, at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium last night when they slammed the Eastern team 2-0.
“The stadium gave them resounding cheers – a true acknowledgment of the ravishing, top-speed soccer which thrilled them to the utmost throughout the duration of play.
“Even the Northern Premier, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, who was the guest of honour, was so enthused that he sat in throughout in spite of the windy conditions and biting drizzle, which persisted for more than three quarters of play.
“Ayoola, Ajibade, Salami, Falayi and Omowon in the Western attack were moving like quick silver, and from the rear, Oshilowo, Peter Ali, Boade and Ali (Snr) were supplying the necessary line which set such a devastating mobility to a point of driving the Eastern players into a frizzed wreck…”
For almost a decade, Osugo maintained a sports column in the Sunday Times.
Rivers United head coach and technical manager, Finidi George, has praised young defender Ochiobi Elias following his outstanding performance in the club’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture on Wednesday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The left-back, who played the full 90 minutes, was instrumental in helping Rivers United maintain a clean sheet, marking one of his most confident outings since his promotion to the senior squad.
Finidi, visibly impressed after the match, revealed that his decision to give Elias a full game was driven by trust in the player’s potential, despite his limited minutes earlier in the season.
“I think he did well. Normally, we should have been bringing him in gradually — maybe 15 minutes before giving him a 90-minute match,” Finidi said. “But I trust him, and I’ve spoken to him. He should be relaxed, calm down, and play his football.”
The coach also highlighted a near-miss moment when Elias came close to scoring late in the game, a chance Finidi felt could have crowned his stellar performance.
“I think today he would have scored a goal at the last moment, but he still wanted to square the ball, look for somebody,” Finidi added. “I’m quite happy with his performance, and we will keep encouraging him to do better. I am very, very pleased.”
Elias, a product of the Rivers United youth team that won the NPFL Youth League in 2024, has been gradually integrated into the first team under Finidi’s guidance. His performance on Wednesday is seen as a major step forward in his development and a sign of his growing confidence.
The youngster is now expected to retain his place in the squad as Rivers United travel to Aba this Sunday for a crucial NPFL clash against Enyimba.
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Strategic partners of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the President Federation Cup, GTI Group, have congratulated the football governing body on the successful hosting of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held last weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a press statement issued on Friday in Lagos, GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, lauded the NFF Board under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau for the smooth conduct of the AGM and the significant progress made in Nigerian football development.
According to Ekejiuba, the Ibadan meeting reflected Gusau’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and strengthening unity across the football ecosystem.
“GTI Group congratulates the Nigeria Football Federation on the successful outcome of its Annual General Meeting held in Ibadan, which the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, used the occasion to demonstrate his commitment to engaging positively with football stakeholders, including state football associations, clubs and fans,” he said.
“His interactions with the various groups at the AGM showcased his impactful leadership and dedication to promoting Nigerian football and fostering a collaborative environment.”
Ekejiuba also highlighted the Super Falcons’ recent achievements and the growth of domestic competitions, particularly the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), as key milestones recorded under Gusau’s leadership. GTI serves as a strategic partner of the NPFL, supporting its structural and commercial transformation.
The statement further expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for their hospitality and support during the AGM. Ekejiuba noted the governor’s commendation of the improved standard of refereeing in the NPFL under the administration of Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye.
However, GTI also used the opportunity to express disappointment over the early exit of Kwara United and Abia Warriors from the CAF Confederation Cup, urging Nigerian clubs to raise their competitive standards on the continental stage.
“It is unfortunate that both Kwara United and Abia Warriors crashed out at the preliminary phase of the CAF Confederation Cup last weekend. This clearly shows that Nigerian clubs must raise their game in order to compete favourably,” the statement read.
“The future remains bright, but that is why GTI has been calling on Corporate Nigeria to invest more in our football, just as is done in thriving leagues across the world.”
Ekejiuba also extended words of encouragement to Remo Stars and Rivers United, who are still flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Champions League.
“We encourage them to dig deep and remain focused to ensure successful campaigns. They should give Nigerian football fans something to cheer this season because we understand how demanding continental competitions can be,” he concluded.
GTI Group reaffirmed its continued commitment to working closely with the NFF to advance football development, promote professionalism, and attract sustainable investment into the Nigerian game.
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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has queried Warri Wolves following reports of the suspension of their head coach, Aluma Napoleon, faulting the club’s failure to comply with established procedures for contracting and registering technical officials.
In a letter titled “Notarization and Registration of Contracts” and signed by the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league body directed the Delta-based club to regularize all contractual documentation with its technical and management staff in line with NPFL regulations.
The NPFL’s letter stated:
“Information reaching us from the media space suggests that the Delta State Sports Commission has suspended your head coach, Mr. Aluma Napoleon, with immediate effect.”
Citing Sections B, Articles 6 and 11 of the NPFL 2025/26 Framework and Rules, the league reminded Warri Wolves that all clubs are required to submit notarized contracts of their officials for registration and record purposes.
“You are, however, in breach of these sections as Warri Wolves FC have not submitted the contracts of its officials to the League Board. You are hereby requested, within twenty-four hours of receiving this letter, to submit all relevant contracts of your technical team, including that of the assumed suspended head coach, Mr. Napoleon Aluma, to the NPFL Secretariat,” the letter warned.
The NPFL further cautioned that failure to comply could lead to sanctions, including restricting Warri Wolves’ technical crew from accessing the bench in subsequent league matches.
“Note that failure to comply with this instruction will lead to the restriction of your technical team from accessing the technical area in future NPFL matches,” the league stated.
In a related statement to NPFL Media, COO Davidson Owumi stressed that the Warri Wolves case was not isolated, adding that all clubs yet to register the contracts of their technical officials must do so without delay.
“I must admonish all coaches to get hold of their contracts and lodge a report with the NPFL when there is a violation of the terms. It is the responsibility of the aggrieved to petition the league at all times,” Owumi emphasized.
The NPFL has been tightening administrative controls in recent seasons to ensure transparency, professionalism, and adherence to contractual obligations across all participating clubs.
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