SGFC will help Nigerians achieve their goal in United States soccer league, says Opanuga

Head Coach of the United States (U.S.) based Super Green Football Club (SGFC) of Maryland, Richard Opanuga, has disclosed that the club’s promotion to feature in this season’s American Soccer League will benefit Nigerian footballers.

SGFC recently became the first ever club coached by a Nigerian and also owned by Nigerians in the U.S. third tier professional league in the Washington – Maryland area.

Speaking to The Guardian recently, Opanuga said among over 40 Nigerian clubs currently plying their trade in the amateur league, that SGFC was the only team sanctioned to feature in the American Soccer League that will resume this month.

“We are the only club that gained promotion to the third tier level of the U.S. soccer league, which is behind the Main Soccer League (MSL), United States Soccer League (USL).

“America is a very unique place where things are done differently unlike in other countries. Here teams are neither promoted nor demoted. It is all about franchise, where team qualifies to play in the MSL, USL and ASL provided they are able to meet up the requirement,” he said.

Opanuga, who is also the director of Operations of the club, said the team sponsored by his company and two others want to promote Nigerian players to achieve their desired goal in the game of football.

“The reason we got where we are now is about promoting Nigerians players to get to whatever level they want to reach in their soccer career. But beyond this, our players will also have the opportunity through our affiliation as a pro team, to pursue their dream and we will task ourselves to make sure we develop these players.

“As the first Nigerian team to achieve this professional status U.S., we will seek more mentoring from big clubs and we are open to partnering with professional sides from Africa, Europe and in Asia for better representation.”

“This promotion is a reward for our hardwork and perseverance. We look forward to competing at a higher level when the new season starts,” he added.