Sunshine Stars technical adviser Duke Udi has thrown his weight behind the proposal to expand both the Northern and Southern Conferences of the Nigeria National League (NNL) to 20 teams each from the 2026/2027 season, while also laying out his ambitions to guide the Akure-based club back into the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

Udi's case for the expanded format

Speaking to Completesports.com in an exclusive interview on Wednesday evening, Udi described the proposed restructuring as a positive step for Nigerian second-tier football. The NNL Board is expected to ratify the proposal at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Owerri this weekend.

"I think it's a welcome development. That means there will be 20 teams in the Northern Conference and 20 in the Southern Conference," said Udi, a former Nigeria international who previously played for Shooting Stars and Enyimba as a midfielder.

"It also means 38 rounds of matches in each Conference, with two teams from each promoted. It's nice — it will be more competitive and it will be interesting."

The 50-year-old, who had stints in Europe with Grasshoppers of Switzerland (1995–1996), Slovan Bratislava (1996–1997), and Hapoel Ironi Rishon (1997–1999), argued that a straight league format would bring the best out of the competition. He did, however, stress that the media must play a constructive role — as it did in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, when the league helped produce legends such as Austin 'Jay-Jay' Okocha, Segun Odegbami, Adokiye Amiesimaka, Rashidi Yekini, Finidi George, and Nwankwo Kanu.

Ondo State backing and the push for NPFL promotion

Udi confirmed that Sunshine Stars have the full support of the Ondo State Government and the club's chairman, Honourable Divine Ogbonnaya, who also heads the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), in their bid to return to the NPFL.

Udi revealed that Ogbonnaya was present in Abeokuta on Tuesday, 18 August, where the club are participating in the Gold Cup Preseason Tournament. "He has never missed any of our training sessions. He's the only club chairman who has paid our salaries in full since the 2025/2026 season ended," Udi said.

The technical adviser noted that the squad's only outstanding need is a better team bus for away travel, adding that Ogbonnaya has pledged to raise the matter with Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to ensure a new vehicle is in place before the 2026/2027 season kicks off.

A third stint and a clear target

For Udi, this campaign carries personal significance — it is his third spell in charge of Sunshine Stars. "I believe it's the right time to take Sunshine Stars back to the Premier League," he said. "We're intensifying our preparations, especially with this Preseason Tournament. Hopefully, the season will be good for us."