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, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye; and the Head of Technical at the NFF, Augustine Eguavoen.
Also present were football investor and philanthropist, Hon. 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, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, also praised the organizers and called for synergy between the NPFL and the NPLCMA.
Hon. 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.
