The players were presented at a ceremony held at the club’s secretariat inside the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium. Club Chairman and Supervising Coordinator Surajo Malumfashi formally introduced the new arrivals to officials, supporters and the media.
Chairman Outlines Ambition
Malumfashi expressed confidence in the quality and character of the new recruits. He described the recruitment drive as a deliberate step to build a stronger, more balanced squad capable of meeting the club’s targets in the forthcoming campaign.
The chairman said management had carefully selected players who can add value across every department of the team, with the aim of improving on previous performances and competing more strongly throughout the season.
The New Arrivals
The full list of signings is as follows:
- Koroma Francis – Goalkeeper (formerly Wilberforce FC, Sierra Leone) – Two-year contract
- Samson Obi – Striker (last club: Rivers United; previously Hapoel Haifa, Abia Warriors, Enyimba and others) – Two-year contract
- Michael Ibeh Okoro – Central Midfielder (last club: Remo Stars; previously Abia Warriors, Akwa United, Plateau United and clubs in Uzbekistan and Iraq) – Two-year contract
- Ubong Essien – Defensive Midfielder (last club: Akwa United) – Two-year contract
- Eric Ekpere – Central Defender (last club: Abia Warriors; previously Ifeanyi Ubah and Akwa United) – Two-year contract
- Chinedu Ozor Benjamin – Central Defender (last club: Kano Pillars; previously Rising Stars, Abia Warriors, Sunshine Stars, Lobi Stars and others) – Two-year contract
- Lius Dadong – Striker (last club: Kano Pillars; previously Aminci Academy and Wikki Tourists) – One-year contract
- Kolawale Oladipo – Goalkeeper (last club: Bayelsa United; previously Bendel Insurance, Kwara United and El-Kanemi Warriors) – Two-year contract
- Joshua Akpan – Right Winger (last club: Shooting Stars) – Two-year contract
- Emmanuel Bakare – Left Back (last club: Warri Wolves) – Two-year contract
- Abba Musa – Central Defender (last club: Wikki Tourists; previously Plateau United) – Two-year contract
Blend of Experience
The new squad members bring a mixture of NPFL experience and international exposure. Several have featured for established Nigerian top-flight clubs, while others arrive with spells abroad on their CVs. The arrivals are expected to increase competition for places and add depth in goalkeeping, defence, midfield and attack.
Pre-season preparations are already under way. The new players are expected to integrate quickly as the technical crew continues shaping the team ahead of the new NPFL campaign.