Nigerian Football
Medal-winning Former Flying Eagles Captain, Andrew Uwe Offers Services To Nigeria
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
With Nigeria’s Flying Eagles still in a tricky group in the new draw conducted for the Under 20 Africa Cup of Nations holding in Egypt, former skipper of Nigeria’s youth team, Andrew Uwe has urged the team to think less about the relative football strength of their opponents and rather be focused on achieving success.
The Flying Eagles have been drawn alongside Morocco, Tunisia and Kenya in Group B. Previously, they were in an even more daunting group that had Egypt and South Africa apart from the recurred Morocco.
Uwe, who captained the 1985 set that became the first Nigerian U-20 team to have a podium finish at the FIFA World Youth Championship now called the U20 World Cup told Sports Village Square of his worries about Nigeria’s youth teams not making the top marks again, even in Africa.
The Flying Eagles last won the African U20 World Cup 10 years ago. That was a competition that Nigeria was early dominant when the competition was called the Tessema Cup.
At the time, the Flying Eagles were the breeding ground for players who later made marks in the national team.
Since Uwe led the 1985 squad to get to third place in the Soviet Union by defeating the hosts in the losers’ final match, only twice in 1989 and 2005 did the Flying Eagles get to the podium by placing second.
“It is worrisome”, Uwe said from his base in Germany where he is involved in a coaching programme for the youth. He said he wished to return and give back to the system that produced him, but his overtures have constantly been ignored.
Among the players he captained in Nigeria’s march to the first of three podium finishes in the U20 World Cup are Samson Siasia, Alloy Agu, Waidi Akanni all of who made names in the Super Eagles.
Uwe was a central figure in the sensational Leventis United – a team that rose from the third division, gaining promotion successively and topping all the divisions. The club went three seasons without losing any match.
“I was born in Lagos and featured prominently in the then popular Principals Cup, YSFON and the Flying Eagles after which I graduated into the Super Eagles and featured at the 1988, 1990 and 1992 Afcon”, said Andrew Uwe.
He captained the Super Eagles in the 2-0 defeat of Cameroon in a World Cup qualifier played on 10 June 1989 at the Lekan Salami Stadium. To date, it remains the Super Eagles’ only match at that stadium. He also featured at the football event of the Seoul ‘88 Olympics.
He was part of the ‘Belgium trek’ of the late 1980s and early 90s as he left for SK Roeselare in July 1993.
He made rounds at SV Wehen, VfB Oldenburg, LR Ahlen and BV Cloppenburg – all in Germany before venturing westward to the US in 2001.
In the US, he featured for Houston Dynamos before retiring to pursue a career in coaching.
Uwe obtained the A and B licenses as well as the Premier License in the US. He followed up with the Popular Sports C license the UEFA B-level license and the DFB (Germany) Elite Youth License.
Since 2001, he has been involved in coaching youth teams in the United States and Germany. Some of the clubs include Ade Youth Soccer Academy in Houston/Texas, Saint Agnes College Academy in Houston/Texas and VfB Oldenburg in Germany. Other clubs he handled in Germany include FC Wittsfeld (Oldenburg) and JFV NordWest Oldenburg
Briefly, he handled the Vandrezzer Academy in Uyo Nigeria as the Head Coach as well as the Technical Director of Real Sapphire FC in Lagos.
In other clime, he would have at least been a youth ambassador and inspiration to the youth teams. He urged that Nigeria should have ambassadors comprising successful players who made the marks as youth players.
“I have often offered to serve, but had never been given a hearing”, he lamented. He urged the current Flying Eagles players to aspire to make a mark in Egypt later this month.
A semi-final ticket will see the team among the four that will represent Africa at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Nigeria’s planned participation in a four-nation invitational tournament later this month is facing serious uncertainty after a significant escalation in Middle Eastern tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to compete in Amman, Jordan, from March 27 to 31, alongside Iran, Jordan and Costa Rica, as part of preparations for future competitive fixtures and squad building. But recent geopolitical developments have cast doubt over whether the event can still go ahead as planned.
An official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed to Sports Village Square that the situation is being closely monitored, with security and travel concerns emerging as key factors in deciding the tournament’s fate.
The doubts stem from joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which triggered a sharp escalation in hostilities and sparked retaliatory actions across the region, including reports of attacks and counter-attacks in neighbouring countries.
The unfolding crisis has already led to airspace closures, flight cancellations and broader travel disruptions in the Gulf and Levant, complicating international travel plans for teams and supporters alike.
The Super Eagles had planned to open the tournament against Iran on March 27 at the Amman International Stadium before facing hosts Jordan four days later. However, Iran’s participation itself is now in question as the security situation deepens and Iranian football authorities weigh their options amid the conflict.
The tournament was seen as a valuable opportunity for head coach Eric Chelle to assess his squad in a competitive setting before the next major competitions, which include the 2027 Afcon qualifiers.
Jordan, who will make their own debut at the 2026 World Cup, was using the event to build momentum on home soil, but the escalating crisis places not just Nigeria’s fixtures at risk, but the entire mini-tournament.
The NFF has not yet announced an alternative plan should the tournament be cancelled or postponed.
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Matchday drama unfolded across centres in the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL) as title contenders stumbled, traditional powerhouses flexed their muscles, and the race for continental places tightened significantly.
Rivers United’s grip at the top suffered a dent after a shock 1–0 defeat to Bayelsa United in a tense South-South derby. The slim victory handed Bayelsa a crucial three points while slowing Rivers’ momentum at a critical stage of the season.
The biggest statement of the weekend came from Bendel Insurance, who dismantled Ikorodu City 4–0 in a ruthless display. Insurance were clinical from start to finish, overpowering their visitors and boosting both their goal difference and their standing in the upper half of the table. For Ikorodu City, who had been firmly in the mix near the summit, the heavy loss could prove costly in the long run.
Enugu Rangers also strengthened their position with a composed 2–0 victory over Nasarawa United. The Flying Antelopes controlled proceedings and capitalised on their chances, ensuring maximum points against a direct rival in the race for honours. With Rivers United dropping points, Rangers’ win significantly narrows the gap at the top.
In Aba, Enyimba were held to a 1–1 draw by Kun Khalifat in a fiercely contested encounter. The People’s Elephant had to settle for a point despite home advantage, a result that may affect their ambitions of climbing into the continental qualification spots.
Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves played out a goalless draw in a tightly fought affair where defences dominated, and clear chances were scarce.
Remo Stars continued their battle against relegation with a 2–0 triumph over Katsina United in Ikenne.
Remo Stars begin redemption course with a 2-0 defeat of Katsina United
Ibadan, Shooting Stars delighted their supporters with a spirited 2–1 victory over Kano Pillars. The Oluyole Warriors demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline to edge the encounter, keeping their push for a higher finish on track.
Sunday Results
- Bayelsa United 1-0 Rivers United
- Bendel Insurance 4-0 Ikorodu City
- Enugu Rangers 2-0 Nasarawa United
- Enyimba 1-1 Kun Khalifat
- Niger Tornadoes 0-0 Warri Wolves
- Remo Stars 2-0 Katsina United
- Shooting Stars 2-1 Kano Pillars
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The race for promotion in the 2025/2026 season of the Nigeria National League (NNL) has gathered momentum, with relegated sides Akwa United and Doma United pushing strongly for an immediate return to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Both former top-flight campaigners have shown resilience since dropping to the second tier last season. Akwa United currently lead Conference B with a game in hand, underlining their determination to bounce back at the first attempt. Meanwhile, Doma United sit atop Conference C despite suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Sokoto United on Matchday 11.
Southern Conference Delivers Drama
Matchday 11 in the Southern Conference produced thrilling encounters, further tightening the race for promotion.
In Conference A, two away wins, one home victory and a draw defined the round. The headline fixture between table-toppers Inter-Lagos FC and second-placed Beyond Limit FC ended in a goalless stalemate in Abeokuta. The result ensured Inter-Lagos maintained their grip on first place, though Beyond Limit remain firmly in contention.
Elsewhere, Smart City edged Edel FC 1-0, Gateway United secured a similar 1-0 win over Crown FC, while Sunshine Stars boosted their campaign with a convincing 2-0 triumph over Abia Comets. The victories have intensified the competition in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely fought groups in the league.
Conference B: Akwa United Hold Firm
Conference B continues to heat up as teams battle for supremacy. Osun United claimed a crucial 1-0 away victory at Abakaliki FC, while Rovers FC defeated Stormers 1-0 in Calabar.
Despite the pressure from chasing teams, Akwa United remain firmly in control at the summit. With a game in hand, the Promise Keepers are well-positioned to strengthen their promotion bid in the coming weeks.
Conference C: Doma United Stay Ahead
In Conference C, Sokoto United handed leaders Doma United a 1-0 setback, but the defeat did little to dislodge them from the top. Doma remain on 19 points, narrowly ahead of FC Basira, who climbed to 18 points after a 2-0 win over Lobi Stars.
The slim margin between the top sides suggests a tense battle ahead, with every point likely to prove decisive in the quest for a top-two finish.
Conference D: Northern Battle Intensifies
Yobe Desert Stars moved temporarily to the summit of Conference D with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Ranchers Bees, taking their tally to 15 points. Jigawa Golden Stars edged Adamawa United 1-0, while Gombe United and Kebbi United settled for a goalless draw.
Promotion Race Wide Open
With each conference producing unpredictable outcomes, the NNL promotion race remains delicately poised. For traditional heavyweights Akwa United and Doma United, the objective is clear: secure one of the coveted promotion spots and return to the Nigeria Elite League.
As the season progresses, the intensity is expected to rise further, with fans across the country watching closely to see which clubs will earn the right to rejoin Nigeria’s top-flight next season.
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