Former Super Falcons coach Samson Unuanel has advised the management of Sunshine Stars to give their technical team complete autonomy if they hope to make an immediate return to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

The Owena Waves were relegated to the Nigeria National League (NNL) following a disappointing 2024-25 NPFL campaign, but Unuanel believes they can bounce back quickly with the right approach.

"They will come back soon because the government is now ready to do the right thing," Unuanel told Flashscore. "The management needs to sit up and allow the coaches they appoint to do their jobs without interference."

Focus on Youth Development

Unuanel emphasized the importance of talent development as a critical factor for the club's resurgence. He urged the technical crew to prioritize scouting and nurturing young, promising players rather than recycling established names.

"They must focus on scouting and developing young, talented players," he stated. "In Nigeria, there's too much recycling of the same players. You'll find someone who's played for six or seven clubs across the country and is still being rotated. That's not progress."

The experienced coach highlighted a systemic issue in Nigerian football where grassroots development is often neglected in favor of short-term results.

"We're neglecting the grassroots. Coaches are afraid to take risks because if they do and results don't come immediately, they get sacked," Unuanel explained. "I don't blame them because very few coaches in Nigeria are in a position to take those chances."

Sunshine Stars will be competing in the NNL for the 2025-26 season, with their management now facing the challenge of rebuilding the team to secure promotion back to Nigeria's top flight at the first attempt.