Hearing that Ugonna Christantus Uche was to sign for Crystal Palace Football Club was a special moment 😊.
Not just because he was coming to the Premier League, but because I know where and how it all started. I’ve been part of the journey. I’ve seen the quiet sacrifices, the long nights, the late-night phone calls, the wahala—but most importantly, the unwavering belief behind the scenes.
Christantus (as he is now more commonly known) was scouted and developed in Owerri, Imo State, and transferred from Campos FC—a grassroots club I’ve been working with as its legal representative since around 2016. It’s been nearly a decade of shared struggle, hope, and commitment.
At the heart of Campos FC is its loyal president, Patrick Osuji—a man whose dedication to grassroots football is nothing short of heroic. Patrick and his team have been fighting for years to give young Nigerian players a chance. No shortcuts. No politics. Just hard work, integrity, and a deep love for the game.
But it hasn’t been easy.
There’s been deception, and a frustrating lack of transparency—especially in some of the Spanish transfers. However, I know the truth will come out—it always does. But through it all, Patrick kept going. He kept building, kept believing. And now, the fruits of those hard years are finally starting to show.
Christantus’ journey—from Spanish club CP Moralo to Ceuta, then Getafe, and now Crystal Palace—is a testament to what’s possible when grassroots clubs are given the space and support to thrive.
Campos FC has produced other talented players too:
🧤 Francis Uzoho – Former Super Eagles goalkeeper
🇧🇪 Nzubechi Ogbuehi – Kortrijk, Belgium
🇷🇺 Oluebube Williams – Alania, but on loan to FC Ufa, Russia
🇧🇪 Tochukwu Nnadi – Zulte Waregem, Belgium
And there are many more about to be unleashed onto the footballing world. Trust me—watch this space ✌🏽.
A special thank you to the NFF specifically, Nasiru Jibril and Okey Obi for their support 🙏🏾 , and putting up with my constant calls and stubbornness to make sure things are done right. They also know when this journey started and the challenges faced.
A couple of the pictures attached show Christantus, Nzubechi and some other Campos FC players. Also, in one of the pictures, Patrick can be seen in a white t-shirt, with the Anambra FA chairman, Chikelue Iloenyosi at my birthday party in Abuja this February (2025). Patrick missed the group photo with other football stakeholders because he was somewhere on the phone, probably trying to sort out one more opportunity for one more player 😆.
This post is about every grassroots club that dares to dream. It’s about the long nights, the hustling for sponsorship, and the quiet prayers.
Here’s to Campos FC, Patrick Osuji, and every young player chasing a dream from the grassroots 🥂.
To enjoy the full benefit of this post and some interesting comments, you can also view it on LinkedIn: