By Aderonke Ojo
City Football Club of Abuja, a Nigeria National League (NNL) side, on Saturday unveiled its new team jersey in a colourful ceremony held at the FIFA Goal Project Pitch, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The event, tagged “The Unveiling,” featured a novelty match against NAF FC, which ended in a convincing 4-0 victory for City FC — a performance that underlined the club’s readiness and renewed ambition ahead of the 2025/2026 NNL season.
Speaking during the ceremony, Chidi Okonkwo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of City FC, said the unveiling signified a new chapter for the club and the football community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“We unveiled the jersey to show that the team belongs to the entire FCT,” Okonkwo said. “This marks a fresh chapter in our journey as one of the capital’s most promising football clubs.”
He emphasized that the new season represents another opportunity for City FC to secure long-awaited promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after narrowly missing out in the previous two campaigns.
“It’s long overdue for City FC to be in the Premier League. We missed promotion by one point twice. This time, with the level of preparation and confidence in the squad, I don’t think anything will stop us,” he said.
Okonkwo highlighted the club’s improved logistics and technical organization, revealing that City FC participated in an international pre-season tournament in Tanzania as part of efforts to build a competitive squad.
“If the logistics were not in place, I wouldn’t have the confidence to demand promotion from the technical crew. As a former player, I know logistics is key. We have done our part; now it’s up to the players and coaches to deliver,” he added.
Looking ahead to their opening NNL fixture against Lobi Stars, a former NPFL side, Okonkwo said his expectations are clear — to start the campaign with a statement victory.
“We are not going to share points with Lobi Stars. If we want promotion, we must make a statement. It’s not about names; it’s about performance,” he declared.
The City FC boss also praised the growing unity among FCT football stakeholders, noting that past internal rivalries had hindered the region’s ability to produce a Premier League team.
“For the first time, all FCT teams have come together to stop the infighting. You can see former EFCC FC and NAF FC coaches and players now working with City FC. Everyone has agreed to support one team to reach the top,” he said.
City FC’s head coach, Yamoah Richard, described the 4-0 victory as evidence of the team’s commitment and readiness for the season ahead.
“We started from the grass, and now we are here. The win shows the players are ready. We just need to fine-tune a few areas before the league kicks off,” Richard said.
NAF FC head coach, Suleiman Ibrahim, attributed his side’s defeat to fatigue after a busy schedule but praised the hosts for their sharp performance.
“I believe the match could have ended in a draw, but the boys were tired. We will return to the drawing board and prepare better for our next outing,” he said.
The unveiling ceremony also featured the presentation of City FC’s home and away jerseys, as well as official league kits for players and team officials. The event attracted fans, football administrators, and club supporters, all celebrating what many described as a “new dawn” for the capital’s football scene.
With renewed energy, strategic leadership, and a united FCT football community, City FC appears well-positioned to mount a serious push for NPFL promotion in the coming season.