Anambra-Based Football Club, Gamechangers FC, Unveils NIS-Certified Coach at One-Year Anniversary

Gamechangers FC

By Kenechukwu Ofomah
Awka

Anambra-based football club, Gamechangers FC, which is set to compete in the Nationwide League One (NLO), on Wednesday unveiled former professional footballer Emmanuel Awa as the new head coach for the 2025/2026 football season.

The unveiling took place at the Awka Township Stadium, Anambra State, during a ceremony marking the club’s one-year anniversary.

Coach Awa boasts an extensive playing career across Nigeria, India, and Bangladesh. He played for notable clubs such as Mohammedan Sporting Club (Kolkata and Dakar), Air India SC, and BCC Lions of Gboko.

He holds an Advanced Certificate in Football Coaching from the National Institute for Sport (NIS) and has also studied Sports Management, Coaching Psychology, and Transpersonal Leadership Philosophy at El-Roi London University.

As part of the anniversary celebration, the club played a memorial match and officially retired jersey number six in honor of a club member who died in active service.

Speaking at the event, the club’s Founder and Chairman, Surveyor Obi Emeka Chukwudi, described the occasion as a significant milestone in the club’s mission to provide a platform for young football talents to develop their potential. He emphasized that the club has remained consistent in pursuing its vision.

Among the club’s short-term goals, he noted, are inviting international scouts, organizing player trials for overseas opportunities within six months of the club’s inception, and securing contracts for five to ten players with European clubs.

Looking ahead, Obi said the club aims to rise to prominence within the Southeast’s football landscape and to have over 30 players signed to European clubs within four years. He emphasized the club’s mission to empower young footballers to lift their families out of poverty through the sport.

The Gamechangers FC chairman also paid tribute to the deceased player, praising his passion and dedication. He explained that retiring his jersey number was a symbolic gesture aligned with the club’s values of honoring commitment and hard work.

“At Gamechangers FC, we are committed to our vision of progressing from the NLO to the Nigeria National League (NNL), and ultimately to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL),” Obi said. “We recognize and appreciate all the players and staff who have contributed to our journey over the past year. Though the destination is still far, we are determined to achieve the goals we’ve set for ourselves.”

In his remarks, newly unveiled coach Emmanuel Awa expressed gratitude for the opportunity and pledged to bring his knowledge and experience to bear in strengthening the team’s tactical discipline, cohesion, and performance. He promised to implement structured yet adaptable strategies to ensure the team’s success in competitions.

Responding after receiving a souvenir in memory of her late brother, Onochie, Miss Ifeoma expressed gratitude on behalf of the family.

“We are happy that my brother made an impact, even in the short time he was here,” she said. “I believe he is smiling down on us. We are grateful to Gamechangers FC for honoring him and keeping their promise. This means a lot to our family.

“We pray the club continues to grow beyond expectations.”

The memorial matches held during the event saw Gamechangers FC triumph over both Fortune FC and UNIZIK FC in separate encounters.