Former Super Eagles star Sylvanus Okpala has been named the new Technical Adviser of Nigeria National League NNL side Edel FC of Awka. The 63 year old replaces Abdulazeez Hamza Abara, who held the position for less than two months.
Okpala, widely known as ‘Quick Silver’, officially took over the role on 26 March 2025 and has already begun work with the team. A celebrated figure in Nigerian football history, Okpala brings a wealth of experience to the struggling club, both as a former player and as a seasoned coach.
He is one of the few Nigerians to have lifted the Africa Cup of Nations AFCON both as a player in 1980 and as a coach in 2013 as assistant to Stephen Keshi. His club career took him to Portugal in the early 1980s, where he featured for CF União, Marítimo, and Nacional.
On the coaching front, Okpala has previously managed Rangers International and served as assistant coach at Enyimba and the national team. His appointment at Edel FC was reportedly facilitated by Olisa Onuchukwu, a consultant for the club.
He will be assisted by Kingsley Ihekwoaba, known locally as ‘Papin’. The club hopes Okpala’s arrival will steer them away from the relegation zone and restore competitive stability.
Editorial
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The appointment of Sylvanus Okpala at Edel FC is more than a coaching change—it is a statement of ambition and legacy. In a league often short on structure and long-term vision, bringing in a football mind with Okpala’s pedigree signals serious intent.
This is a man who has seen it all from lifting the AFCON trophy in front of a nation in 1980 to helping deliver another title from the dugout decades later. His knowledge of the game, both domestically and abroad, is precisely what a club like Edel FC needs in this crucial phase.
That said, expectations must be tempered. Okpala is inheriting a side still battling for NNL survival. Quick fixes will not suffice. What he must bring and what we believe he can bring is structure, discipline, and belief.
His return to coaching also reminds us of the value of experience in Nigerian football. While youthful coaches are often favoured for their energy, there’s no replacing wisdom. Okpala’s journey from Enugu Rangers to Portugal and back again has forged a leadership style rooted in resilience.
This move is a win for Edel FC and for Nigerian football at large. Let’s give ‘Quick Silver’ the time and support he needs to shine again.
Did You Know?
- Sylvanus Okpala earned the nickname “Quick Silver” for his pace and versatility during his playing days with the Super Eagles.
- He captained Nigeria at the 1988 AFCON, where the team finished as runners-up.
- Okpala played in Portugal for over a decade, becoming one of Nigeria’s early European exports.
- In 2013, he was part of Stephen Keshi’s backroom staff during Nigeria’s AFCON victory in South Africa.
- Edel FC, based in Awka, Anambra State, was established to promote professional football development in southeastern Nigeria.
