The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Aigbogun

  • Poland 2019: Beating Qatar will be key to group phase success, says Aigbogun

    Head Coach Paul Aigbogun has said that three points from their FIFA U-20 World Cup opener against Qatar in Tychy next week Friday will greatly boost his players confidence in the remaining games of the group phase.

    “Our target is to get those three points in our first game and set off on a run. It would be a big booster. Our game plan is to get off on a good footing at the World Cup and then carry on from there.

    “The Nigeria Football Federation has done very well to camp the team in an exquisite facility ahead of the FIFA World Cup. We can only repay their support and effort, and the confidence of the people of Nigeria, with a good outing in Poland.”

    Seven-time African champions Nigeria will open its FIFA U-20 World Cup against Qatar on Friday, with matches against USA and Ukraine to follow in Group D.

    On Tuesday, the Flying Eagles continued their preparation for the global tournament with a 1-1 draw against Austrian Bundesliga II side Red Bull Salzburg.

    Paul Aigbogun’s lads had to dig deep in the second half to find the equaliser which came off the boot of substitute Tijani Muhammad.

    Salzburg had gone ahead midway into the first half and held on to go into the break ahead. It took the Flying Eagles time to settle and when they did they took the game to Salzburg.

    The introduction of Tijani Muhammad, Chinonso Emeka, Success Makanjuola and Peter Eletu saw Nigeria control the second half and could have scored more if not for the heroics of the Salzburg goalkeeper.

    Aigbogun said at the end that he was impressed with his lads even though there is still work to be done before the tournament starts.

    “It took us time to get settled in the game and when we did I think we took control of the game. This Salzburg team is a very tough one. They play in the Bundesliga II and it showed in their game but I’m glad my boys rallied back to get a draw.

    “We could have won it if not for their goalkeeper. We had two good chances in the second half and I thought we should have won it at the end. The team is progressing even though there is work to be done.” Aigbogun concluded.

    The Flying Eagles will play their final preparatory match against Red Bull Leipzig in Germany on Friday.

  • Aigbogun: We’ve picked the best Flying Eagles’ squad

    Head coach of the Flying Eagles, Paul Aigbogun has assured Nigerians that the U-20 team will give a good account of themselves in Niger Republic during the U-20 African Cup of Nations starting from next weekend.

    Aigbogun on Monday released the names of the 21 players that will represent Nigeria at the competition that serves as the qualifiers for the U-20 FIFA World Cup in Poland later in the year. He acknowledged that there were many good players he was not able to consider but expressed confidence that the ones selected for the competition would do well.

    While declining comments on individual players such as Wasiu Alalade and Peter Eneji who did not make the team, the coach stressed that there were some foreign-based players who did not also make the team.

    “It was not easy because we have lots of good players but we are confident that we have picked the best players that will represent Nigeria well in Niger Republic,” Aigbogun told NationSport.

    “We wrote to many of them but their teams turned it down. They didn’t allow them come because the date fixed for the competition is not sanctioned by FIFA.

    “We have confidence that the players will do well although we are not God but from our work and everything we have looked into and done, we believe that they will give 100 per cent.”

    The Flying Eagles are in Group A alongside Niger Republic, Burundi and South Africa. The four semi finalists will secure express pass to the U-20 World Cup in Poland.

  • FC Ifeanyiubah to hire Aigbogun

    FC Ifeanyiubah to hire Aigbogun

    Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, FC Ifeanyiubah, are considering Paul Aigbogun to take charge as their head coach for the new season.

    The former Enyimba trainer is set to take over from Japanese coach, Kenichi Yatsuhashi, who has reportedly left the club following a disagreement with the technical director Mitko Dobrev and the management over his tactics after losing back-to-back games at the Super 4 against Wikki Tourists and Rivers United.

    Supersport.com sources informed that Yatsuhashi left the club’s hotel in Enugu, where the Super 4 is being held, on Friday after he claimed that his work is being interfered with by the management of FC Ifeanyiubah.

    It was learnt that even players complained about the training methods and match tactics of Yatsuhashi.

    After their 0-2 loss to Rivers United, Dobrev and Yatsuhashi, differed on tactics with the former taking a swipe at the latter.

  • Ogunbote replaces Aigbogun as Enyimba head coach

    Ogunbote replaces Aigbogun as Enyimba head coach

    Enyimba Football Club have appointed Coach Gbenga Ogunbote as Technical Adviser after parting company with Paul Aigbogun by mutual consent.

    The People’s Elephants, who placed ninth last season with 50 points and exited the CAF Champions League at group stage level, have brought in the former Sunshine Stars and 3SC coach ahead of the new NPFL season.

    “Heading into a new season, the club have turned a new chapter in order to strengthen its successful history and tradition. We appreciate the drive and hard work of Paul and he will always remain a respected man within the Enyimba family.

    “As we begin a new chapter in the progress of our club, I would like to thank Paul Aigbogun for all he did throughout last season and wish him all the very best in his future endeavour,” Enyimba chairman Felix-Anyansi Agwu said in a statement.

    “We believe that the new man to take us forward is Coach Ogunbote Olugbenga and he has just signed a contract with us. Ogunbote is a well-respected Coach in Nigeria and shares our ambitions and values.

    “We are confident that he can move us in the direction we are headed and will give him all the support he needs,” Anyansi-Agwu concluded.

    Coach Ogunbote  will be presented to the media in a formal unveiling ceremony on a soon to be announced date.

  • Ogunbote to replace Aigbogun at Enyimba

    Ogunbote to replace Aigbogun at Enyimba

    Gbenga Ogunbote is expected to soon replace Paul Aigbogun as the new coach of seven-time Nigeria champions Enyimba, top officials have disclosed.

    Former Sunshine Stars and Sharks coach Ogunbote ensured Shooting Stars stayed up for a second straight season, but has missed out on leading Akwa United in the new season.

    “Ogunbote is on his way to Enyimba to replace Aigbogun,” a top official revealed.

    Aigbogun’s job at  Enyimba has been on the line ever since he failed to guide the team to a successful league title defence.

    Enyimba also failed to impress in the CAF Champions League even after they reached the money-spinning group stage of the competition.

  • Enyimba yet to make decision on Aigbogun

    Enyimba yet to make decision on Aigbogun

    Enyimba International Football Club are uncertain of the future of coach Paul Aigbogun.

    “We are yet to take a decision on whether he (Paul Aigbogun) is to return or not so for now nothing is certain,” a top official of Enyimba told Goal.

    “We are focused on reviewing our season and mapping out plans on how to bounce back in a big way. The issue of coach Aigbogun’s future is shelved for now.

    “The management is filled with experienced personnel led by Felix Anyansi Agwu. So a good decision that will favour the club will be taken as and when due. We urge the press not to speculate but wait for official confirmation from us.”

  • Aigbogun: I’m still in-charge of Enyimba

    Aigbogun: I’m still in-charge of Enyimba

     

    Paul Aigbogun has denied media speculations that he has resigned his position as head coach of Enyimba FC.

    Reports are rife that Aigbogun who guided Enyimba to a CAF Champions League group stage finish has quit following the People’s Elephant’s exit in the Federation Cup after the loss to Nasarawa United, but he insists he remains the technical adviser of the club.

    ” I have not abandoned Enyimba, as a lot of reports in the media are suggesting,” he said to SportingLife. ” I only travelled to London to spend some time with my family since the season has ended.

    “I informed the club’s management of my trip before departing. There’s nothing more beyond this. I have not had discussions with the club over a contract extension or termination so there’s really nothing else to my travelling out. It’s just a family visit,” Aigbogun insisted.

  • Enyimba pass vote of confidence in Aigbogun

    Enyimba pass vote of confidence in Aigbogun

    Seven-time Nigeria champions Enyimba have said they are satisfied with current head coach, Paul Aigbogun.

    The Northern Irish-born gaffer has come under intense scrutiny in recent months for what some fans of the club have termed an underwhelming season.

    The fans have voiced their discontent over the club’s failure to progress past the group stage of this year’s CAF Champions League but the People’s Elephant are still in contention in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and the Federation Cup.

    Enyimba chairman, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, said he has had no reason to question the credentials of Aigbogun.

    “We (Enyimba) have not been given any reason to show dissatisfaction with the work of Aigbogun. He has been given a free hand to do his job to the best of his knowledge.

    “People are free to speculate that Aigbogun will be sacked but I don’t know where those stories are emanating from.

    “There is nothing from our end to suggest that Aigbogun will be sacked at the end of the season.Aigbogun is doing a good job and he needs to be encouraged also.

    “Enyimba never presses the panic button and we will not start doing at at this stage,” he told supersport.com.

    Meanwhile, Aigbogun has declared that he was never worried about the prospect of getting the sack at Enyimba.

    “I have never had a problem with the chairman or the board since I took over.

    “I admit that there are times this season when things did not go according to script for me but there has been a lot of mutual respect between all parties and no one has ever talked about sacking me,” he said.

  • Aigbogun vows to nail Zamalek

    Aigbogun vows to nail Zamalek

    Enyimba head coach Paul Aigbogun believes that his side can win Sunday’s Caf Champions League game against Egyptian side, Zamalek.

    The People’s Elephant currently prop up the rear in Group B of the Caf Champions League with no points after their first two games.

    They lost the reverse fixture 0-1 to Zamalek in Port Harcourt, but Aigbogun is drawing from lessons in that game to mastermind an unlikely success at the Petro Sport Stadium in Cairo.

    “The pitch (at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt) was waterlogged when we played against Zamalek (on June 19).

    “We dominated the game and the goal they scored was from something you cannot even refer to as a goalscoring opportunity.

    “Our objective is to win on Sunday to get our campaign back on track and I believe we can do it,” he told supersport.com.

    Aigbogun then discussed Enyimba’s seemingly underwhelming title defence in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), insisting that the seven-time champions will not be throwing in the towel with nine matches remaining.

    “It has not been an easy season for us but nobody here is giving up.

    “We are six points behind the leaders (Enugu Rangers) but we have played a game less than them.

    “In football, you don’t ever give up until the last game and that is what we will continue to do,” he said.

    Enyimba are expected to depart Nigeria for Egypt today.

  • A draw would have been fair for Enyimba-Aigbogun

    A draw would have been fair for Enyimba-Aigbogun

    Enyimba coach Paul Aigbogun has expressed his disappointment at his side’s 2-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns, saying a draw would have been a fair reflection of his team’s performance.

    “I felt it was a very good, entertaining game for everybody; obviously I’m disappointed that we lost [because] I thought probably 1-1 would have been a fair result,” said Aigbogun after the game.

    “We played well, but we just have to work on one or two things. It’s not easy coming here because Sundowns are a good team at the moment, especially their attacking force.

    “I think it was an even game, we had opportunities, they had opportunities and we’re just disappointed that we didn’t come away with at least a draw. [Two defeats] makes it difficult because one team is out so we don’t have the extra couple of games,” he added.

    “But we’ll go back home, we’ll win the home game [against Sundowns] and look to win the away game [against Zamalek], and then hope that one of the other teams do us a favour.”

    Wayne Arendse’s 78th minute winner condemned the Nigerian champions to defeat which leaves the Peoples’ Elephants on the brink of elimination with two losses in their two Group B fixtures.