Kennedy Boboye, head coach of Sunshine Stars, has set his sights on a third Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title, hoping to lead his hometown club to a landmark victory. The veteran coach, who previously claimed league championships with Plateau United in 2017 and Akwa United in 2021, is now back with the Owena Whales and aims to guide them to their first-ever NPFL title.
“Every coach dreams of winning the league title each season, and my ambition is no different,” Boboye told SportsBoom.
“I’ve won the NPFL title twice, and my focus now is to secure a third with Sunshine Stars.” He added, “This will also allow us to represent Nigeria in next season’s CAF Champions League.
I must admit, it won’t be an easy task, but I am determined to achieve this, and my players are ready and motivated.”
Reflecting on his inspiration, Boboye mentioned Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, whose relentless pursuit of titles motivates him to aim high.
If Pep, who has won the Premier League title six times with Manchester City, is still hungry for more, what excuse do I have?” he said.
After a challenging previous season where Sunshine Stars narrowly escaped relegation, Boboye’s side has started the current season with renewed focus and a strong lineup.
Last season, we spent most of our time battling against relegation, but this time we’ve started strong.
Our goal is to build on our results and become Nigerian champions,” he said, acknowledging that the team’s youth may lead to setbacks along the way.
We have a relatively young team, and we understand that we will likely face some losses along the way.
However, we will keep pushing to make this dream a reality.
I know how much Sunshine Stars wants this, especially since we have never won the league in our history—now could be our time.”
Beyond his personal goals, Boboye commended the progress he sees in the Nigerian top-flight league, though he notes there is still room for improvement.
To be fair, the NPFL has been improving year after year, thanks to the efforts of the league organizers,” Boboye stated.
He cited advancements in the quality of pitches, officiating, and overall standards, which have long been areas of concern in Nigerian football.
However, Boboye remains realistic, noting that there is more to be done for the NPFL to rival leagues in countries like South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt.
The league has seen several away victories, and goals are flowing in, which are all positive indicators.
I can only hope that the league continues to grow, benefiting our national teams as well,” he said.
Boboye added that he looks forward to seeing Nigerian clubs excel in continental competitions like the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup, which would affirm the NPFL’s improvement on an international stage.
Sunshine Stars’ midfielder Seth Mayi, who recently earned a call-up to the Nigeria national team, has impressed Boboye, who believes the player will be a valuable asset in the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers against Ghana.
Mayi’s selection follows his impressive performance this season, and Boboye has high expectations for the midfielder’s impact.
I am very pleased with Mayi’s invitation to the Super Eagles.
He has been exceptionally impressive this season with Sunshine Stars, and I firmly believe this call-up is well-deserved,” Boboye said.
This isn’t Mayi’s first involvement with the Super Eagles, having previously made his debut in an international friendly against Mexico in 2021.
I expect him to leverage his experience to help Nigeria qualify for the CHAN at the expense of our rivals, Ghana,” Boboye commented, adding that Mayi’s call-up serves as motivation for his teammates, who now aspire to earn national team attention through hard work and dedication.
Reflecting on his own career, Boboye expressed openness to returning to the national team setup if given the opportunity.
The seasoned coach, who has previously served in various coaching roles with Nigeria’s U23, B, and senior teams, is hopeful for a chance to contribute at the national level again.
“I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to serve my country in the past, and I remain open to coaching any of the national teams in the future.
I would gladly embrace that chance with both hands,” he shared.
Boboye recently added a UEFA C Licence from the Irish Football Association to his credentials, a qualification designed to further develop his coaching skills.
With his experience and qualifications, he remains a respected figure in Nigerian football, committed to both his club’s success and the progress of football in Nigeria.
