By Joel Ajayi
Chairman of City Football club, popularly known as the Citizens, Hon. Chidi Okonkwo, has reaffirmed his long-term vision of building a mini stadium to serve as the club’s official home ground.
He made this known on Sunday in Abuja, following City FC’s 1-1 draw with Nasarawa United in a pre-season friendly match ahead of the upcoming Nigeria National League (NNL) season.
Chidi, who has made significant investments in the club’s development, explained that the friendly against the experienced Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side was a strategic step to assess City FC’s preparedness for the new campaign.
“We want to see the real City FC again. Looking back, I think we rushed things a bit when we launched in 2021, trying to reach the Premier League too quickly. Now, we’ve chosen a more structured and gradual approach,” he stated.
He emphasized that success in football requires time, planning, and infrastructure. Drawing inspiration from clubs like Remo Stars, he noted:
“Football isn’t magic—you need proper planning. I remember when Remo Stars were in the NNL; they focused on infrastructure, and that gave them a huge advantage. For me, the top priority now is to build a mini stadium for City FC. By God’s grace, we can achieve that within the next two to three years.”
Speaking further, Chidi described the match against Nasarawa United as a valuable experience.
“Inviting them wasn’t by accident. It was a deliberate decision to test our readiness. They’re a more experienced team, and the game showed we still have work to do before the season begins.”
Although City FC recently earned promotion back to the NNL, Chidi stressed that infrastructure development remains more important than chasing immediate top-flight ambitions.
“We’re back in the NNL, but even if we gain promotion to the NPFL, where would we play? That’s why the focus is on building our own stadium,” he said.
Citing Remo Stars’ owner, Kunle Soname, as a model of effective football entrepreneurship, Chidi underscored the value of proper planning and facilities.
“Look at what Kunle Soname has done with Remo Stars—their facilities are world-class. That’s the kind of model I envision for City FC. Without proper infrastructure, Premier League status means nothing.”
Chidi also highlighted the financial challenges facing Nigerian football, particularly for privately owned clubs.
“In countries like Egypt and Tanzania, you see more sponsors supporting clubs. But here in Nigeria, it’s a different story. As a private club, you must plan your finances carefully. Last season, we struggled due to funding issues and got relegated. But once we secured support, we bounced back. Football runs on money—without it, there’s no progress.”
He further explained that player transfers play a crucial role in the club’s sustainability model.
“Selling one or two players each season is necessary to keep the club afloat. It’s part of our long-term strategy.”
Looking ahead, Chidi reaffirmed that his energy will remain focused on infrastructure before pursuing promotion to the NPFL.
“This year and next, my priority is launching the stadium project. Once we have our own mini stadium, then we can begin to seriously talk about Premier League football,” he concluded.
