…hosts, organises awards for outstanding players
The chairman/proprietor of City Football Club of Abuja, Chidi Okoronkwo, has charged his players to raise their game if they are to get promoted into the top tier of country’s football, the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
City FC are currently playing in the Nigeria National League (NNL) and have had decent outings in the first stanza of the season.
Okoronkwo gave the admonition when he hosted the players and the coaching crew to a lavish end-of-the-year party and awards to reward and motivate players who have been outstanding and also to encourage those who are still struggling for form. He nonetheless lauded the boys for their efforts but said their performance fell short of what he was expecting.
“This event is to encourage my boys, my wonderful boys. I call them my children because they make me happy everyday. They have tried, but it is not enough for my liking.
“For me, football is about performance, not just results. I want to see good football. This event is to motivate those who are not giving their best and to encourage those who have done well to do even better.”
He challenged the team to transfer their preseason form when the league resumes citing the tournament won by City FC in Tanzania.
“Our aim this season is to gain promotion and we have the team to do it. The team went to Tanzania and won a tournament involving champions from different countries as the only second-division club. If we bring that same mentality into this league, nobody should come close to us,” Okoronkwo added.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to individuals and groups who contributed to the club’s progress during the year.
Fan of the Year: Chinasa Ezekwueme; most consistent player: Daniel Jacob; fans’ favourite: Sunday Dongs; most well-behaved player: Sunday Oliseh; most impactful player and player of the season (2025) Joseph Donatus; most promising player: Simon Isek and clubman of the year: Richard Yamoah.
Other honours are Guardians of Fair Play Award: Nigeria Referees Association, FCT Chapter and Guardians of Development Award by Nigeria Football Coaches Association, FCT Chapter.
READ ALSO FROM SPORTING TRIBUNE
