Former Rivers United captain Temple Emekayi don officially open another chapter for him football career abroad after e complete him move go Lebanese Premier League club Shabab Al-Sahel from Nigeria Premier Football League.
The Nigerian centre-back don comot from Pride of Rivers after more than seven years for the Port Harcourt club. E join the team for January 2019 and later become one of the defenders wey stay longest for the club, na weytin Hitvibz dey yan be dat.
Emekayi na also part of the Rivers United squad wey carry the 2021/22 NPFL trophy, before e later become club captain.
Temple Emekayi Don Begin New Football Journey With Shabab Al-Sahel
Shabab Al-Sahel, wey people also dey call Coastal Youth Sports Club and wey dey based for Haret Hreik, Beirut, don confirm say the Nigerian defender don join them as dem dey build their squad for the new season.
“Good luck to Temple with Coastal Youth, hoping he will deliver the best levels,” na wetin the Lebanese club write after dem announce the signing.
After e spend almost all him senior football career with Rivers United, Emekayi don now take one big step comot from Nigerian football.
The 28-year-old defender carry plenty experience from both domestic and African football enter him new club, after e make 144 NPFL appearances for Pride of Rivers.
During him time with the Garden City side, e also play for both CAF Confederation Cup and CAF Champions League.
Emekayi move go Lebanon come after e don spend plenty years proving himself as one reliable defender for the middle of Rivers United defence.
Since e join the club for 2019, him importance to the Port Harcourt boys just dey increase as time dey go.
After Nyima Nwagua comot, Emekayi eventually collect the captain armband, with coach Finidi George officially naming am captain before the 2024/25 NPFL season start.
By that time, Emekayi don already play 98 league matches for the club.
E continue to wear the captain armband for the next season and remain Rivers United skipper until the end of the 2025/26 NPFL campaign before e hand over the responsibility to Stephen Manyo.
The defender captaincy journey still get plenty memorable moments, including him role for Rivers United historic 2021/22 league triumph and the team’s back-to-back CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final appearances.
Now, after plenty years of battling for Nigerian football and African club competitions, Emekayi don get another challenge for him front as e go test himself for the Lebanese Premier League.
From Rivers United Captain to New Football Life for Lebanon
Interestingly, Temple Emekayi no be the only Nigerian player wey dey join Shabab Al-Sahel during this transfer window.
The Lebanese club don also bring in some other Nigerian players as dem dey prepare for the new season.
Nigerian winger Daniel Etor Essien, wey born for 1993, don join Coastal Youth after e previously play football for Bahrain.
The club don also sign Nigerian striker Edidiong Ezekiel Enobong from Enyimba.
The 25-year-old striker carry plenty NPFL experience come Lebanon, after e don represent teams like Ibom Youth, Remo Stars and Akwa United.
Another Nigerian wey don join the club na midfielder Christian Chinazam Chukwuka, meaning say Shabab Al-Sahel squad dey gradually get plenty Nigerian flavour.
So, Emekayi no dey enter the new adventure alone. E dey join other Nigerians wey fit make the Lebanese club one team wey Nigerian football fans go dey watch closely this season.
But for the former Rivers United captain, the main thing now na to settle down for him new environment, fight for starting XI spot and use all the experience wey e gather from more than seven years of NPFL football help him new club.
From captain of Pride of Rivers to fresh challenge for Lebanon, Temple Emekayi don officially begin another chapter for him football journey.
Last Updated on September 21, 2026 10:36 am by Hitvibz Media
Stay connected