By

Sab Osuji 

Finally, Ebonyi State government has joined the long list of state governments that own and sponsor football clubs in the different cadres of the domestic leagues.

His Excellency, Governor Francis Nwifuru, thus, goes down in history as the first Executive Governor of the State to realise the importance of empowering the youths of the state through football, by floating a state-owned foot ball team.

Nwifuru, therefore, has earned the applause of football freaks in the South East State as the young State begin its journey into the football industry of the nation, thus, providing job and entertainment for the youth and the good people of the state. It is indeed a big bravo to His Excellency, Governor Nwifuru.

Checks reveal that the football loving governor has bought over the Nigeria National League, NNL, slot of Coal City Utd of Enugu, thus giving birth to what is now known as Ebonyi United FC.

The club will compete in the Southern Conference of the 2024/2025 NNL. Indeed, the Abakaliki Stadium will now become the destination when the new season begins next month.

But while we bask in the euphoria of the birth of Ebonyi Utd FC, it's instructive to remind Gov Nwifuru that it does not start and end in floating a club. He needs to be well informed and educated that the success of a club depends LARGELY on its management. Football management is completely different from other aspects of governance or management.

First, it abhors regular Nigerian politicians and their approaches. It requires experience, commitment, dynamism, and energy. Yes, energy, because it's not a business for the 'old men'. Presently, football is for the youth, same as its management is also for the younger generation.

In this regard, I'm happy that Ebonyi State has, among other growing talents in football  ecosystems, someone with the midas touch in terms of developing and running football businesses.

A particular name that runs to mind is Mudi Nwaeze, who is the first person from the state to be licesensed by FIFA as a Players' agent. Nwaeze has taken many players and coaches from the state and beyond through higher levels of the game.

Ikechukwu 'Mosquito' Ibenegbu, Nelson Ogbonna, Stanley Nwabali (current Super Eagles goalkeeper), John Uche Akabueze, Ike ThankGod, Ugojustine Leonard, Chinedu Nwaeze and Taofeek Umar are just a few of them.

Ibenegbu represented Nigeria at both the youth and senior National Team levels. He also represented Nigeria at the Beach Soccer level in the African and FIFA Beach Soccer Championships. 

Ike ThankGod is now a coach with Heartland FC, Owerri. 

Other coaches that have attained national and international prominence through this 'Super' FIFA Agent include, (late) Kelechi 'Caterpilar' Emetole, former Rivers Utd Coach, Stanley Eguma, Okey Emordi and (late) Uche Okagbue and the current best coach of the NPFL, Fidelis Ilechukwu.