NNL Super Eight Bound: Top Coaches Vying for Promotion Tickets (Part 2)

As the prestigious NNL Super Eight playoffs draw near, the spotlight continues to shine on the tacticians who have led their teams with distinction through the 2024/2025 regular season. While Part 1 of this feature highlighted standout coaches from Conferences C and D, this concluding piece shifts focus to Conferences A and B, where another set of elite gaffers have earned their place in the promotion battle set to take place at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.

1. Coach Napoleon Aluma – NNL Coach of the Month (May)

At 59 years old, Napoleon Aluma remains a respected figure in Nigerian football coaching. With a vast résumé that includes stints with Warri Wolves, Enyimba, Sunshine Stars, Ufoma Babes, and Delta United, his experience speaks volumes. Currently at the helm of a top Conference A side, Aluma recently won the NNL Coach of the Month (May) — a testament to his tactical brilliance.

“I’m excited about being named Coach of the Month, but qualifying my team back to the NPFL and ending the season as the best coach in the NNL would be a dream fulfilled,” he said.

Aluma, a CAF B licensed Coach, known for his player development skills and diverse league experience. All eyes will be on him in Asaba as he looks to guide his team back to the NPFL.

2. Coach Obinna Uzoho – Kun-Khalifat FC, Owerri

Obinna Uzoho, 39, is the young tactician turning heads with his impressive work at Kun-Khalifat FC. A product of Nigeria’s grassroots football ecosystem, Uzoho has cut his teeth coaching at Papilo FC (owned by Kanu Nwankwo), Heartland FC, and several academies.

Admired for his calm demeanor and youth-first philosophy, Uzoho has assembled a squad full of young talents. His rise was rewarded with a Coach of the Month recognition, and he remains committed to developing himself further through coaching education.

“My dream is to lead Kun-Khalifat to the Premier League and grow this club into a force in Nigerian football,” he said.

With his team playing an exciting brand of football, Uzoho could be one of the surprise packages of the Super Eight.

3. Coach Ayodeji Alexander Ayeni – Crown FC, Ogbomoso

Veteran tactician Ayodeji Ayeni, 55, is a household name in the domestic league. His coaching journey includes stints with Osun United, Ekiti United, Sunshine Stars, and Akwa United. Now with Crown FC, his tactical nous and discipline have powered the team to the Super Eight for the first time in over a decade.

A graduate of the National Institute for Sports (NIS) and holder of CAF B and C licenses, Ayeni is deeply respected for his commitment to grassroots development. His recent efforts earned him a special recognition award from the Oyo State Coaches Association.

“Coach Ayeni is a strategist. He is result-driven and ready to lead Crown FC to the NPFL,” said a club insider.

Governor Seyi Makinde’s endorsement of the team is a morale booster, as Crown FC looks to capitalize on Ayeni’s experience.

4. Coach Sheye Ajayi – Osun United

Sheye Ajayi, 50, is a well-traveled football man, with a playing and coaching history that spans Nigeria and beyond. As a player, he featured for Shooting Stars, Julius Berger, and Al Hilal (Brunei). As a coach, he has handled clubs like Prime Star, Rising Stars, and Osun United, his current team.

A CAF C license holder, Ajayi has also benefited from exposure to La Liga methodologies and the Aspire Tikitaka Football Academy, bringing modern football philosophy to his squad.

“Coach Ajayi is driven by passion and performance. He’s calm under pressure and confident Osun United can secure an NPFL slot,” said a team official.

With tactical experience and a hunger for top-flight football, Coach Ajayi will be one of the most closely watched figures in Asaba.

Conclusion

As the 2024/2025 NNL Super Eight playoffs kick off in a matter of days, these four coaches from Conferences A and B join their counterparts from Conferences C and D in what promises to be an epic showdown. Their stories of resilience, tactical evolution, and commitment to the Nigerian game make them not just contenders for promotion — but torchbearers for the future of domestic coaching.