New Super Eagles Assistant coach Usman Abdallah said he was honoured to be called to serve in the new look senior national team.
Abdallah who holds UEFA PRO and A Licenses, was listed on the technical crew of the Super Eagles Team along with Salisu Yusuf, Finidi George and Ike Shorunmu.
The current head coach of Katsina United noted that he had been looking for opportunities such as this to serve his fatherland, adding those that selected him won’t regret the decision.
Abdallah who won the Nigeria Professional Football League title with Enyimba in 2019 and also led the People’s Elephants to the semi-final of the CAF Confederation Cup in 2018, said he will contribute his quota to ensure the Super Eagles fly again.
“This is the greatest honour in my football career as a coach; to be called upon to serve your nation is something I think one should be proud of,” the amiable and soft-spoken Abdallah stressed.”I have been longing for this opportunity to come and I pledge my loyalty to the country. I will make sure I make my country proud. I am very happy to have this opportunity to serve this county.”
The France-trained coach with stints with lower division teams in France and Asia, thumbed up all his former employers especially Enyimba Chairman, Felix Anyansi Agwu for his breakthrough on the local scene upon arrival from Europe.
The Kano born-coach also praised members of the Technical Committee of the NFF for the confidence repose in him while pointing out that ensuring that the Eagles reclaim their pride of place in the annals of football.
“I am very grateful to my former employers and directors that I have worked with in football most especially my mentor, Felix Anyansi Agwu. “This is the greatest honour for me because I can never forget somebody that has seen me through my career.
“For some time he gave me the opportunity to bring out myself in the country. He is my mentor and he is so wonderful I appreciate him because without his support and everything he has given me, I couldn’t have achieved this.
“I want to thank the Technical Committee of the NFF that have confidence in me I am grateful to them. I will make sure I make them proud. I am so excited to be one of the national team coaches.”
Before his impressive coaching education and career, Abdallah played in the domestic league for Kaduna Rocks, UNTL, Stationery Stores amongst others as well as stints with the national teams as well as playing abroad in Europe and Asia with France, Bangladesh, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and Benin Republic.
FACTFILE: USMAN ABDALLAH
Super Eagles Assistant Coach
QUALIFICATIONS/TRAINING
▪ BEES 1 Football (1st Degree) UEFA PRO (CREPS Montpellier, France)
▪ UEFA A License Prep Course (England)
▪ Degree in Football Team Management (CREPS Montpellier, France)
▪ La Liga Football Course (Laliga, Spain)
▪ Animateur for Seniors UEFA A (FFF, France)
▪ Initiateur II – Football UEFA B (FFF, France)
▪ Initiateur I – Football UEFA C (FFF, France)
▪ AFC C License Coaching Certificate (AFC Singapore)
▪ AFC Preliminary Coaching Certificate
▪ Brevet European Des Premiers Secours (France)
▪ Strength and Conditioning Level 1 (ASC, Australia)
▪ National Coaching Accreditation Programme (NCAP) Singapore
▪ HND, Chemical Engineering
▪ Diploma, Information Technology, CIS, Singapore
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
▪ Coached at NPFL top teams including Kano Pillars FC, Enyimba International, Wikki Tourist FC and recently signed for Katsina United in March 2022.
▪ Won the NPFL title for Enyimba International in 2019.
▪ Prior to winning the NPFL in 2019, he managed Enyimba in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup in 2018 playing to the Semi Finals.
▪ Has Coaching stints with Lower division teams in France and Asia and coached ESP Toulon, France to the Round of 16 of the Coup De France and was Runner up in the Bangladesh Premier League with Sheikh Russell FC.
▪ A former Player in the domestic scene (Kaduna Rocks, UNTL, Stationery Stores etc) and Nigeria National teams as well as abroad in Europe and Asia (France, Bangladesh, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and Benin Republic).
▪ Speaks and write in French fluently.