Sylvanus ‘Quick Silver’ Okpala, the former Super Eagles standout, has resigned as Head Coach of Nigeria National League side Edel FC Awka following a successful mission to rescue the club from relegation in the 2024/25 season.
Arriving mid-season when the team teetered on the brink with just five points after penalisation related to the suspension of 1472 FC Okpala stabilised the squad and guided them to safety. His leadership was credited for securing Edel’s berth in the 2025/26 NNL.
Micky Chukwuebuka, Edel FC’s Team Manager, confirmed the departure: “Okpala resigned from his post, and we’ve accepted his decision. We wish him well in his future endeavours.”
A celebrated former midfielder, Okpala’s legacy is profound. He was the first Nigerian to play professionally in Europe joining Marítimo in 1982 after multiple titles with Rangers International. As a coach, he managed Rangers and Enyimba and even served as an assistant to Stephen Keshi during Nigeria’s 2013 AFCON triumph.
Edel FC has already begun searching for his successor as they prepare for the next season.
Editorial
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We see Sylvanus Okpala’s resignation not as an end, but as the triumphant close of a chapter defined by courage and purpose. Taking charge mid-season, he faced challenges few would envy: limited time, low morale, and mounting threats of relegation. Yet he succeeded, guiding Edel FC from desperation to security.
His impact transcended mere results. Okpala’s stature as a pioneer first Nigerian to feature in European professional football—and his intimate knowledge of both local and European football cultures added a layer of inspiration for players and fans alike. A coach of his pedigree bringing stability to a fringe NNL side is rare and impactful.
Now, as he steps down, it falls upon the club to honour the foundation he has laid. They must choose a successor capable of nurturing unity and sustaining progress. If they do, Edel’s survival may evolve into ambition; if not, they risk repeating the struggle.
We believe Okpala leaves behind more than a safer league position: he hands a blueprint for professionalism and belief. His journey reminds us that leadership, above all, is about turning adversity into opportunity. That remains Edel FC’s greatest legacy to build upon.
Did You Know?
- Sylvanus Okpala became the first Nigerian footballer to play professionally in Europe when he signed for Marítimo in 1982.
- Prior to his European move, Okpala won multiple domestic titles with Rangers International, one of Nigeria’s most successful clubs of the era.
- He served as assistant coach to Stephen Keshi when Nigeria secured the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
- Okpala began his coaching career managing Enyimba, leading them during a competitive period that included continental campaigns.
- Edel FC’s fight was intensified by a points deduction after 1472 FC’s suspension, adding urgency to Okpala’s mid-season appointment.
