Sylvanus Okpala, fondly known as ‘Quick Silver’, has been appointed the new Technical Adviser of Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Edel FC of Awka, Completesports.com exclusively reports.
The former Super Eagles forward-turned-defender replaces Abdulazeez Hamza Abara, who was hired less than two months ago to guide the club’s survival in the NNL.
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Okpala’s appointment was confirmed on 26 March 2025, and he has already assumed duties. The 63-year-old holds the rare distinction of winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) both as a player and as a coach.
In 1980, he was part of the first generation of Green Eagles players to lift the AFCON title, receiving generous rewards from then-Nigerian President Shehu Shagari. Over three decades later, in 2013, he won the title again as an assistant coach under the late Stephen Keshi in South Africa.
Okpala also made history as one of Nigeria’s early football exports to Portugal, moving from Enugu Rangers to CF União in 1983. He later played for Portuguese giants Marítimo in 1984 before returning to CF União in 1986, where he remained until 1989 before switching to Nacional.
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On the coaching front, he previously managed Rangers International and also served as an assistant coach at Enyimba.
Completesports.com checks reveal that Okpala’s appointment at Edel FC was facilitated by Olisa Onuchukwu, a consultant to the club. He will be assisted by Kingsley Ihekwoaba, popularly known as ‘Papin’.
Efforts to reach Michael Chukwuebuka, the club’s team manager, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report, as calls to his mobile phone were neither answered nor returned.
By Sab Osuji
