Men In Sports: Nduka Ugbade

Ugo Chinedu

4 years ago

Nigeria won the inaugural edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup (then known as FIFA U-16) held in China, 1985. Aside from the athleticism and rich talents present in the ‘85 squad, exceptional leadership played an incredible role in Nigeria’s run to success in Asia.

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Captain Nduka Ugbade ensured that the Nigerian squad was not lacking in leadership and would lay the foundation for future successes as the Golden Eaglets (Nigeria’s U-17) has gone on to win four more World Cup titles, making Nigeria the nation with the most FIFA U-17 World Cup wins with 5 titles.

Following his success with the U-17 side, Ugbade was promoted to the U-20 squad (Flying Eagles), and was part of the 1989 team that finished second in the FIFA U-20 World Cup. At the domestic front, Nduka Ugbade featured for sides like the El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, Calabar Rovers, and Nigerdock, Lagos.

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While at the international front, he played for CD Castellion of Spain, Real Aviles (Spain), Marine Castle United of Singapore, and Perak FA in Malaysia. Ugbade’s exploits at the youth level would see him become an instrumental part of the Super Eagles, but injuries would not let him fulfil his potentials for the senior side as he missed out on Nigeria’s World Cup debut in 1994. The Nigeria Football Federation in 2011, appointed Nduka Ugbade as one of the two assistant coaches in the Golden Eaglets and just like he did during his playing years, Nduka Ugbade was part of the technical crew that won the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Source: Wikipedia Featured Image Source: Brila

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