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Tag: Amoo

  • Amoo vows to cage Peoples’ Elephants

    Amoo vows to cage Peoples’ Elephants

    Nigeria’s Olympic team (Dream Team V1) assistant coach, Fatai Amoo has vowed to battle Enyimba to a standstill come Friday in the on-going Super six at the Abuja National Stadium.

    “Enyimba are household name in Nigeria and Africa the players know already that the clash is a big game.

    “We’ll work very hard to live up to the billing, it’s certain to be difficult but we’re not going down to them,” said the former 3SC and Sunshine Stars coach.

    Amoo had earlier  expressed satisfaction with his side score draw against Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars at championship.

    The nation’s Under-23 side were forced to 1-1 draw in match day 3 clash decided at the main bowl of Abuja National Stadium.

    Amoo however said though the side have performed creditably well in the tournament they still need to improve further on their finishing in subsequent matches.

    “I’m happy that we pulled a draw against champions, Kano Pillars though I’ve never been under pressure playing the side as a coach.

    “We can’t take anything away from Pillars, they didn’t disappoint as Nigerian champions.

    “However, our finishing somehow let us down, I shockingly discovered that it’s yet to attain 100% mark.

    “We created several chances we didn’t use perhaps the outcome would’ve been different if we used our chances.

    “We’ll work on our finishing to make it accurate and sharp as we prepare for the next matches.

    “I don’t think we’ve underachieved in the tournament though our main objective is to how we can get the best using the platform provided by the Super Six tournament.

    “I think the tournament has helped us greatly in the building process and with what the other halves performed against the Tunisians in Tunis the side are already taking shape in readiness for the All Africa and Olympic Games challenges,” said the former Super Eagles assistant coach to supersport.com.

    The Dream Team V1 have played three matches won two against Warri Wolves and Dolphins while they drew 1-1 against Pillars.

  • Amoo praises Home Eagles’ win over Ethiopia

    Amoo praises Home Eagles’ win over Ethiopia

    Fatai Amoo, former coach of Sunshine FC of Akure, said Saturday’s 2-1 win of the home-based Eagles over Ethiopia would boost the team’s morale ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

    Amoo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that the win was the right mentality the team needed to soar in the tournament.

    NAN reports that the friendly match, played at the National Stadium in Abuja, was part of both teams’ preparation for the CHAN.

    “It’s a great result for Nigeria and it’s the perfect attitude the team needed in order to excel in South Africa.

    “And this result is an indication that the team is fully prepared for the championship,” he said.

    He said the tournament would also be an avenue for the team’s technical crew to discover some good players, “as it prepares for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil”.

    The coach, however, said the team must stay focused in order to perform well in the tournament.

    “Despite this win over Ethiopia, the team must not lose focus because there’s a lot of work to be done,” he said.

    NAN reports that the championship will kick off on Jan. 11 in South Africa, and the Eagles will play their first match against Mali on Jan. 12.

    The Eagles are making their first appearance in the tournament, now in its third edition.

  • Amoo seeks fresh challenge

    Amoo seeks fresh challenge

    After completing a refresher coaching course in the United States, former Sunshine Stars head coach, Fatai Amoo has called on Globacom Premier League clubs to look in his direction for fresh ideas and new coaching techniques ahead of next season.

    The Akure Gunners finished 12th on the log at the end of last season with 52 points from 38 matches. Amoo left Sunshine Stars for an assignment with one of the national teams. Earlier, top officials of the Akure-based side had reckoned that he would not be able to combine both jobs without it affecting Sunshine’s title aspirations ahead of the new soccer season.

    Amoo recently underwent a coaching course with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NCAA), of which he is a bonafide member. The course was held at Murfreeboro, Tennessee, in the United States.

    He told SportingLife he is available for any club that needs his services.

    “I have returned to the country after the refresher course in the United States. I have come back a refreshed and well-oiled man in coaching. I am available for a fresh challenge with any willing club.

    “I had to leave Sunshine because I was invited by the head of the Ondo State Football Agency, Mike Idoko who told me that in the light of the national team assignment I would be having, it wouldn’t be to Sunshine Stars’ advantage at all (for him to remain as club coach),” Amoo told SportingLife.

    Although he was awarded a Diploma, which adds to the ‘senior’ Advanced Diploma certificate he already possessed, the former international explained that he went for the refresher course so as to keep abreast of the latest innovations in the act of coaching.

  • Amoo wants Sunshine deal

    Amoo wants Sunshine deal

    Sunshine Stars’ head coach Fatai Amoo has said he will not turn down an offer for contract renewal from the side for the upcoming 2013/2014 Glo Premier League season.

    The former 3SC gaffer stepped into the shoes of coach Abimbola Samuel in mid-season and guided the Akure Gunners to 12th place finish in the outgone elite league season.

    Amoo, who headed out to New Jersey, the United States of America on Tuesday for a one-week advanced coaching course, said it had become routine to always update himself for future challenges.

    “Of course, I won’t turn down an offer to continue with Sunshine Stars in the upcoming season, I took up a short contract with the side which elapsed at the end of the outgone season. The only reason that will make me turn down an offer from them would be if the contract package is not commensurate with my service.

    “I’m more familiar with the terrain better than in the past and better placed and experienced to handle problems better than any other new person. We didn’t win the league shield or continental ticket but we didn’t drop to the lower division which is a success.

    “I have an advanced coaching course with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) to go for, I’m actually leaving today (Tuesday) for the one-week course in the first instant. It has become a routine for me to train myself first and wait for offers.

    “It helps me to be a better coach as well as helps me to work better with my colleagues. An updated coach will always talk with the players with lots of confidence,” said the former Super Eagles assistant coach to supersport.com.

    Amoo said he worked under severe pressure from the side’s supporters in the outgone season insisting that it affected the side’s performance badly.

    “I worked under pressure throughout my stay at their ground in Akure mostly from the supporters and it didn’t help the side a bit. Ironically, while the side sojourned at Ijebu-Ode they churned out good performances than now they’re at home. It’s important the supporters are well educated so that they’ll help the side to achieve good results in future assignments,” the former Nigeria star said.

  • Amoo unsure of Sunshine future

    Amoo unsure of Sunshine future

    From Tunde Liadi,Owerri

    Sunshine Stars of Akure sweat merchant, Fatai Amoo has hinted he is still not clear if he will remain with the Akure Gunners next season.

    Amoo took over from erstwhile coach, Samuel Abimbola towards the end of the first stanza but the coach has revealed to SportingLife that his stay at Akure has not been as smooth as he expected, hence his resolve to keep his options open for now.

    He said he would like certain unrevealed issues resolved before he could contemplate whether to stick with Sunshine or seek an escape route.

    “We thank God that we had been vindicated by the victory over Enyimba of Aba last Wednesday. The game was not supposed to be a live game but they changed it at the last minutes.

    “There are so many things going through my mind as I speak with you regarding my future with Sunshine. I can’t categorically state that I am leaving or staying but I have had it tough than I envisaged in Akure. There are so many things that must be corrected if I am to stay here next season.

    “But for now, we shall go to Yenagoa and enjoy our game and then see what becomes of me and next season,” Amoo disclosed to SportingLife.

  • Amoo wants security beefed up at match venues

    Amoo wants security beefed up at match venues

    • Promises to beat Nasarawa Utd in Lafia

    Sunshine Stars’ head coach, Fatai Folorunsho Amoo has urged the League Management Company (LMC) to beckon on the home state football associations to take security of players and other officials seriously in the remaining matches of the season.
    The Akure Gunners are away to desperate Nasarawa United in Lafia today and Amoo has hinted that home clubs needed to be cautioned against win-at-all-costs so that the rest of the season games would go hitch-free.
    Amoo stated that fortification of the stadiums with adequate security devices would put all trouble makers in check and would ensure that the away team get their deserved results.
    “We couldn’t go to training on Friday morning despite the fact that we came on Thursday. We only had light training session in our hotel and we went for training at the stadium in the evening.
    “We have not experienced any harassment but I will appeal to the LMC to beg the state FAs to be security conscious at match venues in the remaining games. It has always been an issue having points away from home. This can be improved if security of match officials, players and the coaches is taken seriously.
    “We are in Lafia to fight for the maximum points and under a very conducive atmosphere, it is achievable,” Amoo told SportingLife.

  • Amoo concerned about fans’ reactions to Bayelsa draw

    Amoo concerned about fans’ reactions to Bayelsa draw

    Fatai Amoo, the Head Coach, Sunshine Stars FC of Akure on Thursday expressed concern over fans’ reaction shortly after their goalless match against visiting Bayelsa United FC on Thursday in Akure.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the midweek Globacom Premier League match was rescheduled for Thursday due to Wednesday’s heavy downpour in Akure.

    Amoo told NAN on telephone that the fans ought to be patient with the team, saying match “results do not always go your way in football”.

    He noted that although his team played well, they were up against a good side that were resolute and defensively disciplined.

    “Fans all over the world are the same when their team is not winning, but it’s wrong when they try to take laws into their hands.

    “In the last three matches we played at home in the league, we won and nobody complained.

    Today we drew and some fans got agitated.

    “We played against a good team that was defensively solid even though we failed to capitalise on the scoring opportunities we created,” Amoo said.

    Ladan Bosso, the Head Coach of Bayelsa, in his reaction, expressed gratitude to the fans in Akure for showing their support to his team.

    He commended Sunshine for a good performance, saying that their plan was to get the maximum three points from their opponents.

    “I want to thank the people of Akure for supporting us all through the match. It shows they appreciate beautiful football.

    “Our hosts put up a good performance by holding us to a goalless draw because our plan was to get all three points,” Bosso said.

    Sunshine currently occupy the 11th position with 38 points from 28 matches, while Bayelsa are second with 46 points from 28 matches played.

  • Amoo declares: I have not resigned

    Amoo declares: I have not resigned

    Sunshine Stars Technical Adviser Fatai Folorunsho Amoo has dispelled media reports that he has resigned from his position as the boss of the Akure Arsenal.

    Amoo told SportingLife that he would return to Akure to resume work when he gets assurances that adequate security would be provided for him and his players because of the death threats made against them.

    Amoo said his problem started when Sunshine lost 0-1 to Nasarawa United in the Federation Cup Round of 16 despite playing with an understrength team at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja.

    “I am still the technical adviser of Sunshine Stars and I have not resigned at all as is being peddled in the press.

    “I only chose not to return now to Akure until the government deals with the issue of threats to my life by some miscreants who I believe were sponsored to cause disharmony in the team.

    “We went to Lokoja with 21 players four of which were goalkeepers. Some of our best players registered for the competition like Yahaya Adamu (who now plays for Kwara United) have left for other clubs. The new players we just bought are not eligible to play.

    “We had to use a goalkeeper as a cover up to complete 18 players during our game against Nembe City and we won 2-1. No one said anything then, but when we were beaten 1-0 by Nasarawa United, the same side that beat Sunshine Stars 3-0 last year while they were still in the National League in the same competition, heaven wants to fall.

    “There was no record that the players or the coaches were assaulted when they lost 0-3 to Nasarawa United that were in the National League last year, why now?

    “We played with a half strength team and still held our own against them. But after the match some miscreants came to us and started beating Francis Shadrach, a striker because he couldn’t score the chances that came his way. Will he deliberately not want to score?

    “They came to where we packed our vehicle, smashed the glass of the side window which injured our goalkeeper, Moses Ocheje, and also started raining curses on us that they would kill us if we come back to Akure because, as they said, we are not from the state. Are we not one Nigeria?

    “I will be ready to continue to work because I am not the type that abandons my work in the middle of the battle.

    “I have the confidence in myself to deliver that was why I took up the job in the first place. The Ondo State Government must guarantee the safety of the coaches and the players and also strive to fish out those that have threatened to kill me if I step in Akure again.

    “We have suspended training sessions because of the threat to our lives and the players are scattered as I speak with you. But as soon as all these are resolved, we are able to have an enabling environment to work and those that are causing confusion are fished out, I will be ready to return,” the former Eagles coach said.

    Sunshine were eliminated from the Federation Cup Round of 16 at Lokoja by Nasarawa United 1-0 via Malachi Illo’s 41st minute goal.

  • Sunshine Stars ‘ll bounce back from stalemate — Amoo

    Fatai Amoo, Technical Adviser of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure on Thursday vowed that the team would bounce back from the 1-1 draw they played at home against visiting Warri Wolves FC.

    Amoo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the team was still focused on its objective of coming tops at the end of the season.

    NAN reports that the Globacom Premier League (GPL) resumed action on July 3 in all its venues across the country, after a two-week break.

    Sunshine Stars are currently eleventh on the GPL standings with 28 points after the draw at home with Warri Wolves.

    “Although this draw is a setback, we will definitely bounce back and top the league. That is what we are determined to do, and I’m sure we will achieve our aim. We needed to win but unfortunately, we drew at home; it’s better than losing,’’ he said. Amoo told NAN that Sunshine Stars will work harder to climb up the league table and guard against slip in subsequent matches.

    “The team must work hard to stop dropping points in draws; we must strive to win games and we need to wake up. I’m sure it won’t be an issue for the boys because I know they will play better next time. It’s not good enough so we have to improve,’’ Amoo said.

    The team’s next match is against 3SC FC of Ibadan on July 7 in Ibadan.