Former Super Eagles captain, Uche Okechukwu, also known as Gentle Giant, has launched a football academy, called Abia Greater Tomorrow Football Academy in Aba, the commercial city of Abia State. The Aba-based academy is set up by the ex-Nigerian International together with another ex-Eagles player, Emeka Ifejiagwa and Emeka Uche, Okechukwu’s twin brother, who is also a footballer.
Okechukwu started his football career in Aba in the early 80s with a local side called Aba Greater Tomorrow, he also played for Falcon FC, a division 3 club in Aba, Flash Flamingos of Benin, Iwuanyanwu Nationale of Owerri, before heading out to Brøndby in Denmark, from where he went to Fenerbahçe in Turkey. Speaking from his base in Aba, Abia State, Uche said: “I know people have been wondering where I am and what I am doing. They have been expecting to hear from me and what my plans are after retirement. I take my time in doing whatever I want to do. “The plan to set up this academy has been part of my plans, but I have been waiting for the right time, and I think this is the right time. My twin brother Emeka Uche and our friend, Emeka Ifejiagwa, who also played for the Super Eagles are in this together. “When we concluded plans to start up this academy, we decided to revive the name of the club that the three of us started in Aba, that is Aba Greater Tomorrow, but we decided to call it Abia Greater Tomorrow Football Academy. We want to start our academy where we started our football career. We want to give back to same locality that gave us the opportunity to become what we are today. “We have made necessary contacts, both here in Nigeria and outside to get necessary partners for the academy. As soon as we are done with the finishing lines, the game will begin. “There are bundles of talents in Aba an its environs, and the target of the academy is to look out for them wherever they are, groom and prepare them for a greater tomorrow in the game of football, and help them to actualize their dreams as professional footballers. That’s all we want to do.” Uche said.