The appointment of Nigerian female tactician, Barrister Damilola Ogunbote as head of football operations at Chelsea Women of England has gained an exciting reaction from one of her Lagos-based associates, Chinasa Mandy Ukandu, Sports247 reports.
As ecstatic reactions continue trailing the development, Ukandu recalled how Ogunbote enacted a huge impact early this year when she coordinated a two-day programme for female secondary school students in Surulere, Lagos.
The programme, which was tagged Goals For Girls Leadership Summit, took place on February 24th and 25th at The Stable Sports Complex, along Bode Thomas Street, with Ogunbote as project director and Ukandu supporting her as the USA-based organisation’s liaison officer in Nigeria.
A total of 300 female students from 10 different schools in the Surulere axis were involved in leadership training sessions and football skills development facilitated by players and coaches of CATS Ladies FC of Surulere, led by Ukandu, who is a former player-turned-technical adviser and instructor.
The amiable women’s football promoter told Sports247 that she was excited when she heard about Ogunbote’s move from Burnley FC to Chelsea, where she will also work as head of player services for the London-based club, thereby marking another major step for her in football administration.
Ukandu, who is also a product of British Council’s Community Action Through Sport (CATS) and former director of Help The Talent Project (HTTP) declared excitedly: “I am truly delighted and proud to congratulate Lola on her new appointment at Chelsea.
“Lola’s passion for girls’ football, youth development and creating opportunities for young people has been a great source of inspiration. Through Goals For Girls, she has continued to provide the vision, support and leadership that have enabled us to positively impact many young girls through football.
“Personally, I am very grateful for the trust, encouragement and support she has given me. Her belief in my work and her willingness to give me opportunities to grow and take on greater responsibilities have meant a lot to me. I am proud of what we continue to build together through Goals For Girls Naija.
“Her new role at Chelsea is another recognition of her experience, leadership and passion for football, and I have no doubt that she will make a meaningful impact there. On behalf of myself and the Goals for Girls Naija family, I say big congratulations to Dammy, as I fondly call her.
“We are proud of you and excited to see you take on this new challenge. Congratulations, Dammy. This is also wishing you even greater success now and ahead of you in your new chapter.”
Sports247 gathered further that Ogunbote, who was born in Lagos but grew up in Britain, makes the move from The Clarets to Chelsea after a successful spell at Burnley, which she joined in 2021 as their pioneer head of women’s football.
During her time there, she was involved in player recruitment, development, overall structure of women’s football programme and ended on a high after the team won the FA National League Northern Premier Division title and secured promotion.
At Chelsea, Ogunbote has already been involved in several major responsibilities for three months, in which she worked round the women’s team’s pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand as well as home league matches at Stamford Bridge and a Champions League fixture at AFC Wimbledon.
Ogunbote previously worked as a lawyer at Goldman Sachs before moving into football and got involved in initiatives aimed at creating opportunities for girls through football, for which she was recognised in the 2024 Football Black List administration category.
