Returning to Ikorodu City FC, coach Bright Ozebagbe has a strategy that may not seem like much at first, but in the unpredictable world of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), it might be the most crucial objective of all: remain in the “green zone” for as long as possible.
For those who are not familiar with the term, coaches refer to the “green zone” as the safe area of the NPFL table that is close enough to the relegation zone to allow for the possibility of moving up in the rankings or even competing for the championship.
A new goal was established when I got back to Ikorodu City: to spend as much time as possible in the “green zone.” We’ll see what that means before the end of the season,” Ozebagbe said earlier today, August 13.
The aspirations expressed by his predecessor, Nurudeen Aweroro, who departed for Shooting Stars Sports Club in July after stating that the Lagos-based team’s objective was to contend for the NPFL championship, appear to have changed. Ozebagbe is taking a more measured approach. He previously led Ikorodu City into the NPFL during the 2023–2024 season.
“I’m glad to be a member of the Ikorodu City initiative. Our goal for the previous season was to stay in the Premier League, and we succeeded. The team’s performance delighted me. We’re going to establish new goals for ourselves now,” he declared.
Remember how Ozebagbe left Ikorodu City in the middle of the 2024–2025 season on mutual terms? With 59 points from 38 games, Aweroro guided the team to fourth place while he was away, one point from playing in the continental league.
Ozebagbe kept himself occupied during his time away from the Oga Boys by accepting a season-long coaching position at Ijobu United in the Nigerian National League (NNL). Amidst a reorganized coaching system, he has returned to Ikorodu City.
While Ozebagbe concentrates on the larger football structure, including youth development, recruitment, and long-term planning, Ali Kandil, the club’s former fitness trainer, has been elevated to head coach and is responsible for overseeing the first team on a weekly basis.
The coach dismissed any mention of personal glory when asked about his goals.
“To be honest, it’s about the project, not about me,” he remarked. Whatever goal or aspiration we have for this season will ultimately become evident to all. It’s all about the team; I don’t want to get personal. We’ll put a lot of effort into achieving our season’s goals and objectives as a team.
The fact that Ikorodu City survived the previous season was a minor triumph in and of itself. Staying in the “green zone” may not seem glamorous to a club that is still establishing itself among Nigeria’s top, but in a league where margins are extremely narrow, it can mean the difference between long-term success and starting over.
Furthermore, if Ozebagbe’s composed, methodical tone is any indication, Ikorodu City’s 2025–2026 NPFL campaign will be based on perseverance rather than noise.
The performance of Ikorodu City during the previous three years:
Promotion to the NPFL: Bright Ozebagbe, 2022–2023 season.
Last Season’s Fourth-Place Finish: Surprisingly, they ended the season as a title contender and just avoided relegation.
The biggest success was a 6-0 triumph over Katsina United at home.
The worse loss was a 4-1 loss to the Remo Stars on the road.
2025–2026 Objective: Preserve NPFL standing and compete for the title.
