Former Super Eagles midfielder and ex-Lobi Stars head coach, Eddy Dombraye, has broken his silence in an exclusive chat where he reflected on his coaching journey, revealed plans for a return to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The 45 year old was born in Yenagoa, Nigeria, and originally from Ossiama town in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State,
Dombraye, one of the most highly rated young coaches in Nigerian football, holds a UEFA A Licence, which he recently renewed, further solidifying his credentials as a tactician ready for top-level challenges.
Speaking candidly, he corrected the narrative surrounding his exit from Lobi Stars and his supposed silence since then.
“First of all, let me make a correction. I didn’t leave Lobi Stars , I was fired,” he clarified. “I haven’t been silent. Maybe it looked like that, but I’ve been active, travelling across Nigeria, watching games.”
“I saw games in Jos as Plateau United play at home, I watched a few games in Yenagoa as Bayelsa United played l at home. I also watched some game in Lagos, and some matches in Abia. My friend Imama is there. I’ve kept close to the league even if I haven’t spoken much publicly.”
Dombraye, who previously coached Lobi Stars during a difficult stretch, was sacked on 21 March 2022 following a mixed season during the 2021–22 NPFL season.
Eddy Dombraye. Photo Credit: X
Since then, he has remained around the game, keeping tabs on developments across the domestic league.
As for his next move, the former midfielder says his heart is still firmly in Nigerian football.
“Honestly, I don’t want to go abroad to coach now. I want to continue in the Nigerian League. do I have a point to prove? Well, maybe something like that,” he said.
“You always need a plan B. If things don’t work out here, then maybe I’ll consider coaching outside. But I know I still have a lot to offer.”
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Before stepping into coaching, Dombraye had a decorated playing career. After early stints in Nigeria with Premier Breweries, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, and Bendel Insurance, he moved to Poland in 1998 to join ŁKS Łódź in the Ekstraklasa.
He also played for Stomil Olsztyn, before heading to FR Yugoslavia in 2002 with OFK Beograd.
In 2003, he moved to Ukraine, where he featured for FC Volyn Lutsk, FC Ikva Mlyniv, FC Zakarpattia Uzhhorod, and FC Feniks-Illichovets Kalinine.
Internationally, Dombraye represented Nigeria at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship, hosted on home soil.
Eddy Dombraye. Photo Credit: X
He also made his senior national team debut during the 1998 African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Burkina Faso.
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Now armed with renewed qualifications and domestic insight, Dombraye believes he is ready for the next challenge.
“I’ve seen the league up close again. I’m refreshed, qualified, and ready. If a good opportunity comes, I’m definitely going for it.”
Eddy holds multiple UEFA coaching licenses including UEFA C (2016) and UEFA A (2018, 2021, 2024) along with UAF coaching certification, all attesting to his deep grounding in modern football methodologies.
With the 2025/26 NPFL season fast approaching and several clubs set to reshuffle their coaching staff, Eddy Dombraye may soon be back where he belongs on the sidelines.
