For a club with a growing reputation, Ughelli Rovers Football Club are constantly cementing their status as one of the powerhouses in Delta State football with a boastful credential of laurels and accomplishments in their name.
The New Year Mega Lottery Nationwide League One (NLO), Nigeria’s third-tier football league, is a cradle for grassroots talent and a gateway to professional football.
This season’s preliminary stage in the Delta State Zone brought together fourteen teams, grouped into two different centres with the capital city, Asaba, as the hotspot, all vying for a shot at the NLO Super 8 Playoffs, the next step toward Nigeria National League (NNL) promotions.
The NLO Division One 2025 campaign saw the Eguono V’Owvian Boys deliver series of commendable performances in Asaba Centre 1 at the iconic Stephen Keshi Stadium. While competing against Itamah Football Academy, Isoko United, OYC Football Club, Holy Arrows, and Delta Marines.
Matchday 1 — An Osuya Blessing 81st-minute Strike Hands Ughelli Rovers A Promising Start
Ughelli Rovers kicked off their season opener with a 1-0 victory over a Sapele-based Itamah Football Academy side. The encounter, being the official meeting between both teams, saw the two sides trying to dominate possession but struggle with finishing in the final third.
The match was a test of Ughelli Rovers’ youthful backline, anchored by a disciplined centre-back pairing of Okulu Samson and Ovwhigorieta Favour, held firm, while midfield trio of Adarighofua Sunday, Oderuviesan Vincent and an experienced Emoghware Ochuko dictated the tempo in the middle of the park.
The breakthrough came for the Ughelli-based outfit in the 81st minute when substitute Osuya Blessing ram down his markers from a well-worked through pass from Oderuviesan Vincent, unleashing a rocket strike past the goalkeeper.
Matchday 2 — The Eguono V’Owvian Boys Suffers A Hard-Fought Lone-Goal Derby Defeat
The second fixture pitted Ughelli Rovers against Isoko United, a derby clash steeped in local rivalry. The Eguono V’Owvian Boys traveled back to Asaba to face their arch-rivals in the Oil City Derby, resulting in an Awo Oghenetega’s 52nd-minute solo strike for the Oleh-based side. The game was a feisty tactical battle, with Rovers showcasing improved attacking organization following their impressive one-nil season opening.
Captain and goalkeeper Efe Bartholomew was the standout, making crucial saves to thwart the arch-rivals’ attacking threats. However, Ughelli Rovers struggled offensively, failing to convert their limited chances and couldn’t shoulder against a far-older Isoko United team.
Noting the team’s growing chemistry in the defense, particularly the partnership between centre-backs Okulu Samson and Ovwhigorieta Favour, but the lack of sharp offensive play in the final third caused them the match.
Matchday 3 — From An Early One-Nil Lead To 10-Man, Turned Thrilling Loss Against OYC FC
Facing table-toppers OYC FC, Ughelli Rovers delivered one of their most memorable performances of the season. The match was a rollercoaster, with the Rovers taking the lead through an Echanomi Godfrey 25th-minute brilliant header.
OYC FC responded moments later, equalizing before halftime through Julius Sunday’s 42th-minute powerful shot. In the heat of the second half, Rovers were reduced to 10 men following a second yellow card-turn-marching order for Ovwhigorieta Favour in the 65th minute.
Shortly after, Diri Gift on the 70th minute, completed a comeback with a match-winning goal to see the Warri-based side clinch all three points. Ughelli Rovers’ performance against the eventual group winners underscored their potential to compete with the best.
Matchday 4 — A Clinical-Finishing Osim Douglas’ Brace Secures Ughelli Rovers’ 2025 NLO Second Victory
Rebounding from two consecutive losses, Ughelli Rovers faced Holy Arrows in a vital encounter. The match showcased high intensity and pressure, trying to overwhelm each other and take possessive control. The peak of the match was left-winger Osim Douglas scoring a brace in the 28th and 94th minutes to help Rovers bounce back to form.
The Eguono V’Owvian Boys’ high-pressing game disrupted Holy Arrows’ defense early on, with a right-footed swinger setting up Osim Douglas to head home a low cross in the 28th minute. On the brink of stoppage time, a well-taken 94th-minute spot kick from Osim Douglas sealed a 2-1 win, minutes after the Oleh-based side leveled late in the 89th minute.
All thanks to captain and goalkeeper Efe Bartholomew’s pace-stretching save to deny a late header from a set-piece, securing the victory at full-time. This result underscored Rovers’ depth and adaptability, qualities that would eventually define their campaign, boosted their confidence and hopes for a stronger finish.
Matchday 5 — Ayoro Miracle’s Stunning Goal In The Season Finale Sealed Second-Place Finish
The final preliminary stage match against Delta Marines was a dead-rubber encounter for both sides, as group winners OYC FC having secured the playoff spot in the Asaba Centre 1. Though, the stakes were heightened by their previous meetings, including a 1-1 draw in last season’s NLO tie and a 1-0 triumph in the 2024 Betja Asaba Super Cup final powered by a 17-year-old Udori Great’s second-half brilliance.
Playing against a familiar rivalry at Stephen Keshi Stadium, either sides were no strangers to themselves. In the 28th minute, Ayoro Miracle’s jaw-dropping long-range cross found the net, giving them a 1-0 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Rovers started brightly, controlling possession and creating chances, but a Delta Marines’ defensive line against their own run of play. The Eguono V’Owvian Boys maintained their composure throughout the remainder of the game, defending firmly to secure a one-nil win for the second straight time.
Finishing Strong but Falling Short
The Ughelli-based side showcased resilience and flair, finishing second in the group with three wins and two losses. Despite their efforts, they fell short of table-toppers OYC FC, who clinched the ticket to contend for the state qualification slot to the National Zonal Playoffs in pursuit of promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL).
At the end of the 2025 NLO preliminary stages, Ughelli Rovers amassed nine points, finishing second place in Asaba Centre 1. Their victories over Itamah Football Academy, Holy Arrows, and Delta Marines highlighted their consistency, while the losses to Isoko United and against OYC FC proved costly.
OYC FC, with twelve points and superior goal difference, claimed the top spot and advanced to the finale, leaving the Rovers to reflect on a season of near misses.
Reeling from Ughelli Rovers’ record in the 2024 NLO campaign of Kwale Centre, finishing six-placed with three losses, two draws and a win at the Kwale Township Stadium, Delta State.
Coming into this season with a more youthful and vibrant team with average ages of 16-19 and were the youngest squad in both Asaba Centres compare to a far-older side in its debut campaign.
For such a young Eguono V’Owvian set-up to finish second with nine points from five matches is a creditable achievement in a competitive group as this.
Their three wins depict their potential to compete at a higher level, while the two losses highlight areas for improvement, particularly in handling pressure moments, utilizing opponents’ loopholes and defending leads.
With strategic reinforcements and a focus on maintaining momentum, Ughelli Rovers will be look forward to reposition and challenge for promotion in the 2026 season.
Meanwhile, Rovers’ coaching and technical staff would continue to experiment more modern tactical tweak. For instance; dropping their attackers deeper to link play and exploiting the flanks through fast-paced wingers and the overlapping full-backs.
This strategy, however, may address offensive lapses in the case of a pinpointed cross finding an unmarked midfielder, who can volley home from yards away. Moreover, these could help boost Rovers’ ability to compel opponents under pressure, and at the same time keep possession.
Standout Performers and Tactical Insights
Centre-back Okulu Samson and goalkeeper Efe Bartholomew emerged as key figures for Ughelli Rovers, with their all-rounder performances at every game earning widespread praises.
The team’s attacking play, led by players like Great Udori, was oftentimes dormant, with the offense in crucial moments proved futile.
The Rovers’ capability to compete against strong sides like OYC FC suggests a bright future, provided they address inconsistencies in the coming season.
Statistical Overview and Key Performers
Ughelli Rovers finished the group stage with three wins, two losses, and a goal tally of 5 scored and 4 conceded. Their defensive record was among the best in the group, with only OYC FC conceding fewer goals.
However, their attack, while potent at times, lacked consistency, relying heavily on Great Udori’s finishing. The Ughelli-born star striker unfortunately ended the season with no goal, however, earning applaud for his movement and composure.
Osuya Blessing’s impact off the bench against Itamah Football Academy, the duo of Adarighofua Sunday and Oderuviesan Vincent’s metronomic presences in midfield were also pivotal, Erukeoghene Rume passing range unlocking defenses, with star-moment Osim Douglas being the only team player with a brace.
Defensively, the centre-backs of Okulu Samson and Ovwhigorieta Favour often interchanging with Godswill Oghenekome, right-back Abraham Gabriel and left-back Ayoro Miracle all in the backline were a rock, limiting opponents to few clear chances.
However, their susceptibility to stamina and physique, evident in the Isoko United and OYC FC losses, was an important issue that needs addressing.
Looking Ahead
While falling short of the playoffs, Ughelli Rovers’ 2025 NLO campaign was a testament to their growth as a club. Finishing second in a competitive group of the Asaba Centre 1 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium is no small feat, and their performances have laid a foundation for future success.
For now, the Eguono V’Owvian Boys continues to remain a pride of the entire Ughelli football community and the state at large, a team on the cusp of greatness, ready to write the next chapter in their shining legacy.
As they reflect on a season of growth, the club’s focus will shift to the next, where they aim to go one better and secure promotion to the NNL.
All images used are courtesy of Richard Dilayefa Onunu.