Coaching the Coaches: NPLCMA/AMAPRO’s Ikenne Training Elevates Tactical Standards

 

The serene town of Ikenne in Ogun State played host to an impactful gathering of elite football minds as the Nigeria Premier League Club Managers Association, NPLCMA held its Advanced Technical and Tactical Training/Workshop between June 25th and 28th, 2025. 

The event attracted top football coaches from clubs across the country, seeking to refresh their tactical understanding and embrace new dimensions in modern football coaching.

Jointly packaged by AMAPRO and Phreestyle Sport Limited, the three-day intensive training session featured renowned resource persons who brought with them a wealth of knowledge and experience. 

The sessions were designed to expose participants to global best practices and the evolving methodologies in the art and science of coaching.

The event was a grand affair, graced by top dignitaries in Nigerian football. Among them were the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau; his Vice President, Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye; and the Head of Technical at the NFF, Augustine Eguavoen. 

Also present were football investor and philanthropist, Honourable Kunle Soname, President of NPLCMA, Coach Gbenga Ogunbote, as well as other key stakeholders.

In his welcome address, Coach Gbenga Ogunbote expressed profound appreciation to members of the Association for taking time out of their schedules to attend the training. 

He emphasized the importance of continuous learning, stating that the workshop was not only a refresher but also a platform to align with new vistas and innovations in coaching.

In his remarks, NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau commended the NPLCMA for the initiative, describing the workshop as timely and progressive. 

He assured the Association of the Federation’s willingness to support similar future initiatives aimed at raising coaching standards in the country.

NFF Vice President and Chairman of Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL board, Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye, also praised the organizers and called for synergy between the NPFL and the NPLCMA. 

Honourable Kunle Soname encouraged the continuity of such capacity-building efforts, noting that coaching development is key to achieving football excellence at both club and national levels.

The first day of the workshop featured engaging presentations that sparked vibrant discussions. 

Mohammed ElBadary kicked things off with a lecture on "Scientific Approaches to Coaching,” challenging participants to embrace data and evidence-based strategies. 

Augustine Eguavoen followed with a rousing presentation on "Leadership and Our National Philosophy," highlighting the need for identity and direction in coaching Nigerian teams.

Coach Monday Odigie delivered a well-received session on the concepts of GRIP and GAG—modern acronyms in coaching circles—explaining how they align with player management and tactical discipline. 

The day concluded with an open-floor technical exchange session, allowing coaches to share experiences and learn from one another.

Day Two continued in the same rich vein, Shogo Shodunnke, Director of AMAPRO and Phreestyle Sport Limited, gave an insightful talk on "Communication and Relationship in Modern Coaching," where he emphasized emotional intelligence, media handling, and team cohesion. The day was rounded off with practical sessions and another round of technical exchanges.

The final day brought a highlight moment as the newly appointed Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, took participants through a deep dive into "Modernized Coaching Tactics and Adaptation of Training." 

His session was interactive and forward-looking, providing attendees with tactical insights from elite-level football.

The workshop ended on a high note, with participants leaving Ikenne inspired and better equipped to face the tactical demands of modern football. 

The success of the event reinforces the NPLCMA’s commitment to excellence and sets a new benchmark for coaching development programs in Nigeria.

International Sports Strategist Shodunnke Invited to Nairobi for Africa Football Business Summit

 

Shogo Shodunnke, a renowned international sports business strategist and social sports entrepreneur, has been invited as distinguished speaker to the African Football Business Summit.

The prestigious event will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from October 24 to 25, 2024.

The invitation was extended by Brian Wasaala, founder of the Football Foundation Africa (FFA), who praised Shodunnke's exceptional work in youth empowerment and grassroots development.

Shodunnke's achievements align perfectly with FFA's vision, making him one of the ideal distinguished guest speakers. 

As conveyed by Wasaala, Shodunnke's contributions to African sports development, particularly through the AMAPRO Football Championship and AMA-PRO Africa Development Programme, have significantly impacted youth and sports across Africa.

Shodunnke's leadership at Phreestyle Sport Limited and the H4 Foundation embodies the Summit's theme: "Unlocking Africa's Youth Potential - Sports and Social Innovation at Play."

According to Wasaala, the Summit is aimed to leverage sports for broader social goals and empower the next generation of African leaders.

"Shodunnke's participation will provide valuable insights and opportunities to connect with key stakeholders in African football.

"He will share expertise, explore potential collaborations, and further the goals of the AMA-PRO Africa Development Programme," he said.

Independence Cup: Kwara Professionals set to jump tax against KWIRS

It will be Kwara Internal Revenue Service, KWIRS against the Kwara Professionals in the final 2021 final of Independence Cup slated for Friday, October 1 in Ilorin.

The football final which was to celebrate Nigeria's 61st Independence Anniversary was also put together to emphasize the importance of freedom to people.

To qualify to the final, Kwara Professionals defeated Kwara State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN by three unreliable goals while the defending champions, KWIRS got the better of the Kwara INEC by 5-3. 

Indoor Hall of Kwara State Stadium will host the final that will also see the participating teams engage one and another in the Table Tennis event. 

The Brain Behind the program, Shogo Shodunnke disclosed that the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is expected to grace the final along with other top government officials. 

KWIRS won the last edition of the Independence Cup held in 2019 by defeating Nigeria Medical Association, NMA in the final.

The Independence Cup is organized by Phreestyle Sports with the support of Kwara State Sports Commission.

SWAN, NMA, First Bank, two others to battle for freedom against Kwara Internal Revenue Service at Independent Cup

Defending champions, Kwara State Internal Revenue Services, KWIRS will have to use many tax collecting skills if they are to retain this year's Independent Cup. 

KWIRS and five other teams, including Kwara State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, First Bank Plc and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC will be participating in the football and Table Tennis events which is expected to start on Tuesday, 28th of September. 

The preliminaries stages will be decided on 30th of September while the final will be played on Independence Day which is Friday, 1st of October at the Indoor Hall of Kwara State Stadium. 

The competition aimed to celebrate Nigeria Independence and to emphasize the importance of freedom to people is

organized by Phreestyle Sport Limited and supported by Kwara State Sports Commission.

The Brain Behind Phreestyle Sport Limited, Shogo Shodunnke told sports writers in Ilorin on Sunday that Table Tennis was added to this year's edition to give more participation to others who may not make the football team and also stressed the need for team effort in achieving greatness. 

Shodunnke added that the newly established Kwara State Sports Commission under the chairmanship of Prince Bola Mogaji has provided needed support to make the event memorable just as he called on others who may want to partner with the concept. 

The press conference and the draws for the events will be conducted on Monday, 27th in Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital.

KWIRS defeated their NMA counterpart to lift the maiden edition of the Independent Cup played in 2019.

Phreestyle Sport charges Football Managers, Administrators, Players to lead by example

 CEO of Phreestyle Sport, Shogo Shodunnke, has called on football administrators, managers and players to ensure they lead by example in their tasks to make their sector admirable and recognized by all.

NPFL All Stars Win Maiden AMAPRO Football League

Kwara State based Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL All Stars have claimed the maiden Phreestyle Sport organized AMAPRO Football League trophy with a 3-1 win over the Nigeria National League, NNL Alls Stars in the final.

Phreestyle Sport Organizes AMAPRO Football League

As part of its drive to reduce the gap between professionals footballers and non leaguers in Kwara State and its environs, FIFA licensed sports management organization, Phreestyle Sport is creating a meeting point to cross ideas and learning with a mini league tagged 'AMAPRO Football League" 

Phreestyle Sport Publisher, Shogo Shodunnke for FIFA Course in Sports Management

Brain behind for one of the leading sports consultancy firms in Nigeria, Phreestyle Sport, Shogo Shodunnke has been granted admission by Federation Internationale Football Association, FIFA to study sports management and strategic studies in South Africa.