Skip to main content

From Humble Beginnings to Giving Back: Andrew Uwe's Football Journey

By Muzammil Dalha Yola 

Former Nigerian National Team player and current coach, Andrew Uwe, has expressed his gratitude to Nigeria for providing him with opportunities to excel in football despite his humble beginnings. However, he lamented that the country is not offering the same level of support to current talented youths.

During a chat with newsmen at Inter Secondary Schools Athletics and Football Competition tagged "Principal Cup"  in Gombe, sponsored and organized by Green White Green Ltd (GWG) under the leadership of Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara, Uwe praised past sports administrators for creating an environment that allowed him to rise from a poor background to become the captain of the Flying Eagles and eventually play for the Super Eagles. He noted that the opportunities he enjoyed in the past are now rare, citing the absence of professionalism, poor refereeing, and inadequate provision of basic necessities like salaries and kits.

Uwe, who hails from Delta State, revealed that he is committed to giving back to society by sharing his experience and providing opportunities for young footballers to excel. To achieve this, he has teamed up with German-based coach Henry Ambrose to scout for talents in Gombe.

The duo's mission is to assist young footballers in Gombe by identifying talents and providing them with opportunities to play professional football abroad. Uwe emphasized that they aim to change the narrative that Nigerian youth players can only play abroad after starting from the national teams.

Coach Ambrose corroborated Uwe's vision, stressing the need to bring back discipline in all sectors of Nigerian football. As UEFA and German-licensed coaches, they are qualified to coach teams in both senior and junior categories.

Andrew Uwe praised Ahmed Shuaibu Gara, the organizer, for creating a platform that provides opportunities for younger students with talents to excel in their chosen sports careers. He described Gara as a visionary and philanthropist who deserves support and assistance from the government and all stakeholders to achieve his goals.

Uwe and Ambrose received a warm welcome in Gombe, with the crowd hailing their arrival on Tuesday. Their presence is expected to bring a new level of excitement and expertise to the ongoing Principal Cup competition.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

FASTE Emerges Overall Winner of ADUSTECH 12th Inter-Faculties Sports Competition

By Muzammil Dalha Yola The 12th edition of the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil (ADUSTECH) Inter-Faculties Sports Competition came to a close on Thursday, August 7, 2025, with a thrilling football final between the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Science and Technology Education (FASTE) at the University's football pitch. The match was highly contested, with FASTE emerging victorious, winning 1-0 against the Faculty of Engineering. The Faculty of Science secured the 3rd position in football, showcasing their skills and determination throughout the tournament. The overall winner of the competition was FASTE, which accumulated an impressive 19 gold, 5 silver, and 5 bronze medals, totaling 29 medals. This outstanding performance solidified their position as the top faculty in the competition. The Faculty of Earth and Environmental Services (FAEES) came in second, with 4 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze medals, totaling 18 medals. The Faculty of Agricultu...

NUGA Council Fixes Date for Zone E Preliminaries

By Muzammil Dalha Yola  The Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) Zone E has scheduled its preliminary games for February 18-24, 2024, at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil. This decision was made during the Council's meeting at ADUSTECH Wudil, attended by representatives from various universities in the zone. According to Abdullahi Datti Abdullahi, Chairman of the LOC Media & Publicity Committee, the Council discussed events, modalities, rules, and regulations, as well as necessary facilities to be provided. Prof. Abdulkadir Muhammad Danbazau, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, expressed ADUSTECH's readiness to host the competition successfully. He also solicited support from Council members and appreciated their considerations during the meeting. The meeting saw the election of Prof. Mustapha Abubakar from Federal University Dutse (FUD) and Nura Muhammad of ADUSTECH Wudil as Chairman and Secretary of NUGA Council Zone E, respectively. ...

Shehu Jinjiri: A Tactical Genius And Visionary Football Coach

By Muzammil Dalha Yola Shehu Jinjiri is a name that is synonymous with football excellence in Nigeria. A young and ambitious coach from Kano State, Jinjiri has made a name for himself in the football world with his impressive credentials and achievements. With a career spanning over two decades, Jinjiri has established himself as a top-notch coach with a passion for developing young talents and promoting football in Nigeria. Born on April 14, 1979, in Kano State, Jinjiri's educational background is a testament to his dedication to learning and personal development. He attended Rinda Tozo Primary School in Gaya, where he obtained his Primary School Leaving Certificate in 1991. He then proceeded to Zawan Comprehensive Secondary School in Jos, where he obtained his Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) in 1996. Jinjiri furthered his education at Science Secondary School in D/Tofa, Kano State, where he obtained his National Examination Certificate (NECO). He also attended Bay...