People’s Elephant looks to rebuild with veteran’s global experience.
Aba, Nigeria — In a move set to reshape the sporting direction of one of the Nigeria Professional Football League’s (NPFL) most storied clubs, former Super Eagles captain Uche Okechukwu has been officially appointed Sporting Director of Enyimba FC.
The appointment was confirmed in a statement released by the club on Saturday, February 1, 2026, following the resignation of outgoing Sporting Director Ifeanyi Ekwueme just days earlier.
Okechukwu, affectionately known as the “Gentle Giant”, brings a wealth of international experience and deep roots in Nigerian football to his new leadership role. Before this appointment, he served on the Enyimba board as Vice Chairman under club chairman and fellow former Super Eagle, Nwankwo ‘Papilo’ Kanu.
Enyimba FC, nine-time Nigerian champions and two-time CAF Champions League winners, have endured a challenging NPFL campaign, prompting administrative changes and a renewed focus on structural reform.
The club’s leadership expressed confidence that Okechukwu’s blend of playing pedigree, administrative insight, and developmental vision will be central to steering the People’s Elephant back to domestic and continental prominence.
As Sporting Director, Okechukwu will help shape player recruitment strategy, squad planning, youth development pathways, and long-term sporting objectives — areas deemed crucial as Enyimba seeks to reclaim its competitive edge in the NPFL and on the African stage.
A revered figure in Nigeria’s golden football era, Okechukwu earned 47 caps for the Super Eagles, featuring in two FIFA World Cups and two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, including the 1994 AFCON victory. He was also part of Nigeria’s iconic 1996 Olympic gold medal-winning team in Atlanta.
At club level, the 58-year-old enjoyed a decorated career in Europe, most notably with Denmark’s Brøndby IF and Turkey’s Fenerbahçe SK, where he became one of the longest-serving foreign players in the Turkish league and earned widespread respect for his defensive leadership.
Before his European rise, Okechukwu featured domestically for Flash Flamingoes FC, Iwuanyanwu Nationale FC, and Enyimba FC, making his return to the club’s leadership a poignant homecoming.
Enyimba’s management and supporters hailed the appointment as a significant milestone in the club’s ambitions for stability and growth. With a renewed focus on professional football operations and long-term planning, the People’s Elephant hope that the Gentle Giant’s leadership both on and off the pitch will usher in a new era of success.