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Sunshine Stars Technical Adviser, Duke Udi, has voiced his support for the proposed 20-team format for the Northern and Southern Conferences of the Nigeria National League (NNL) in the 2026/2027 season, Completesports.com reports.
Udi Backs Proposed New NNL Format
“I think it’s a welcome development. That means if the NNL Board ratifies the proposal at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Owerri this weekend, there will be 20 teams in the Northern Conference and 20 in the Southern Conference,” Udi, a former Nigeria international and former Shooting Stars and Enyimba midfielder, told Completesports.com in an exclusive interview on Wednesday evening.
“It also means that there will be 38 rounds of matches in each Conference, with two teams from each Conference to be promoted. It’s nice, it will be more competitive and it will be interesting.”
Also Read: NNL: Sunshine Stars Name Udi New Technical Adviser
Fifty-year-old Udi, who had playing spells in Europe, specifically with Grasshoppers of Switzerland (1995–1996), Slovan Bratislava (1996–1997) and Hapoel Ironi Rishon (1997–1999), added that the proposed straight league format would bring out the best in the second-tier domestic football league.
However, he added a caveat, stressing that the media must play a positive role, as was the case in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, when the league helped produce big names such as Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha, Segun Odegbami, Adokiye Amiesimaka, Rashidi Yekini, Finidi George and Nwankwo Kanu, among others.
Udi Targets Sunshine Stars’ NPFL Return
Udi revealed that Sunshine Stars have the full backing of the Ondo State Government and the Chairman of the club and Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), Honourable Divine Ogbonnaya, to relaunch the Akure-based club in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
“As we speak right now, Wednesday, 19 August 2026, we’re in Abeokuta for the Gold Cup Preseason Tournament.
“The Chairman of the club, Honourable Divine Ogbonnaya, was here yesterday (Tuesday, 18 August) to watch us play. He has never missed any of our training sessions. He’s the only club chairman who has paid our salaries in full since the 2025/2026 season ended.
Also Read: NNL: Udi Accepts Blame For Sunshine Stars’ Last-Gasp Defeat To Heartland
“We don’t lack anything except a better vehicle for travelling to away matches, and he has given a firm assurance that he will discuss that with His Excellency, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, so that before the start of the 2026/2027 season, a new bus will be given to us,” Udi said.
Sunshine Stars Step Up Pre-season Preparations
He continued: “For me, I believe this coming season will be good for us. This is my third time at the club, and I believe it’s the right time to take Sunshine Stars back to the Premier League.
“We’re intensifying our preparations, especially with this Preseason Tournament. Hopefully, the season will be good for us.”
