Sunshine Stars’ Elvis Chima proves work beats talent in NPFL rise

The midfield dynamo Elvis Chima of Sunshine Stars F.C. is becoming one of the most talked about players in the Nigerian Professional Football League at just 25 years old. According to reports, his rise from humble community pitches to the senior ranks of Sunshine Stars has been powered more by discipline and hard work than raw talent.

Chima reflects candidly on his journey: “I knew I wasn’t the most talented at first, but I promised myself I would be the hardest worker.”

His path began at small tournaments in Lagos, where scouts noticed his tactical intelligence, relentless energy and commitment to improvement. The club offered him a contract in 2020, recognising his mental strength and consistency rather than simply flashy skill.

Teammates and coaches describe him as first into training and last to leave, someone who invests extra hours in fitness and technique. Those habits, they say, translate into match-winning performances for Sunshine Stars. His message to aspiring players is straightforward “Stay ready, stay focused, and never stop believing. Hard work will always speak louder than excuses.”

Editorial

We see Elvis Chima’s emergence as more than an individual story it is a blueprint for navigating the often chaotic environment of Nigerian club football. We believe that in a league where talent abounds, but infrastructure and pathways sometimes falter, discipline becomes the differentiator. Chima’s journey underscores that reality.

When a player recognises that raw ability is only a part of the equation, and commits to the grind the fitness, the extra sessions, the mental resilience we believe the rewards follow. Sunshine Stars have harnessed that ethic in Chima, and in doing so sent a message to lesser known players across Nigeria: you can still earn your place through measurable effort.

We observe that clubs should take note development isn’t automatic simply because of youth or natural flair. Clubs who emphasise culture, preparation and attitude alongside skill are more likely to bring players through. By investing in someone like Chima, Sunshine Stars may well have secured their engine for the future.

We hold the view that if Chima sustains his momentum, he could emerge not just as a standout in the NPFL, but as an example of how Nigerian football can maximise its local talent. For us, his growth represents the smarter path forward  from promise to performance and we believe this model deserves wider adoption across the league.

Did You Know?

1. Elvis Chima was spotted by Sunshine Stars’ scouts during a youth tournament in Lagos in 2020, leading to his first professional contract.
2. Prior to turning pro, Chima spent time on dusty community pitches, where he learned to compensate for resource limitations with extra effort and tactical awareness.
3. His playing style combines sharp ball control with high endurance traits honed through extra-training sessions that his coaches say make the difference in tight NPFL fixtures.
4. Sunshine Stars, the club he plays for, are based in Akure and have a reputation for punching above their weight by emphasising player development despite budget constraints.
5. Chima often credits his off-pitch discipline regular extra fitness work, diet, and rest routines as key components of his rise, not just what happens when the whistle blows.