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Tag: Gbenga Ogunbote

  • Ogunbote: Enyimba played excellently loss

    Gbenga Ogunbote, Chief Coach of Enyimba International Football Club of Aba, says his team’s performance against hosts Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi was excellent, in spite of a 1-2 loss.

    Enyimba could not hold on to a first half lead in the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 10 clash.

    Ogunbote however told newsmen after the match played at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi that his team’s performance was “excellent’’.

    He expressed satisfaction with how his team played, saying “although we lost the match today against Enyimba, I can authoritatively say that my boys played well.’’

    Evans Ogenyi, the Technical Adviser of Lobi Stars FC, on his part also commended his team for their performance.

    Tyavkase Terbol scored the match’s winning goal in the 88th minute, after Anthony Okpotu had scored the first goal for Lobi Stars in the 70th minute of the match.

    Kennedy Uche had scored Enyimba’s lone goal in the 17th minute through a penalty kick.

     

  • Fatai Amoo named new 3SC Technical Adviser

    Fatai Amoo named new 3SC Technical Adviser

    The management of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan has appointed Dream Team VI assistant coach, Fatai Amoo as technical adviser on a two-year deal ahead of Ibadan ahead of 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    The former Sunshine Stars of Akure coach was unveiled today at the office of the Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barrister Abayomi Oke.

    Amoo who took over from Gbenga Ogunbote is expected to commence work immediately.

    The former Julius Berger FC of Lagos gaffer said he is very excited to return home as he assured the team’s fans that he would work to make the team great again in the continent.

    “I’m back home and I feel very comfortable being in Ibadan,” Amoo revealed. “I’m very excited being appointed as Technical Adviser of 3SC as I don’t really have the fear because I know the terrain.”

    “I’m ready to work with my coaching crew, they are very good people because we know each other very well and I believe we will get things right. I want to make name for myself and 3SC.”

    He added: “I have travelled a little and wherever I get to they, always ask for Shooting Stars and Rangers and that tells 3SC is a big club and we must make it great again. I am ready to take up the task and by the grace of God, we will conquer,” he said.

    In his message, Barrister Oke said he was very pleased with the appointment of coach Amoo.

    “He signed two years deal with us and we are very happy. On our side, the welfare of the team will be paramount,” he said.

  • Gbenga Ogunbote should stay with 3SC, say fans

    Gbenga Ogunbote should stay with 3SC, say fans

    • As Enyimba move nears

    Gbenga Ogunbote should stay with Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan into the next season, according to Goal readers.

    The manager returned to 3SC during the 2015-16 Nigeria Professional Football League season, helping his employers to finish in 15th place despite appearing to be destined for the drop at one point during the campaign.

    The history books will show that Stars dropped six places from ninth in the previous campaign, but Ogunbote was hardly to blame, having departed for Giwa FC only to see things unravel with his former charges under Kadiri Ikhana.

    At the season’s end, Ogunbote told Goal that he was a free agent, although while he revealed that he was happy to spend another campaign with 3SC, it was inevitable that bigger dogs would circle.

    Indeed, according to reports in the Nigerian media, the 52-year-old is being lined up by Enyimba as a replacement for Paul Aigbogun.

    However, according to a recent poll on Goal, the manager would be better off staying put.

    A whopping 87 percent of those who responded on whether Ogunbote should stay with Shooting Stars said that he should, while only 13 percent believed that he’d be better off seeking pastures new.

    Will the manager himself agree with Goal readers, or may he be tempted by the prospect of becoming the top man at the Enyimba International Stadium.

  • I’m a free agent, declares coach Gbenga Ogunbote

    I’m a free agent, declares coach Gbenga Ogunbote

    Gbenga Ogunbote has said he is unsure about his future while stating he remains a free agent.

    The former Sunshine Stars coach who has been linked to jobs at top Nigerian Professional Football League outfits, Enyimba and Akwa United has tagged the links as ‘speculations’.

    He also revealed what his target would be next season if he eventually signs for the Lekan Salami Stadium outfit.

    “Well, that will be a question for now that I cannot answer, maybe in the next one week if you ask me I’ll be able to. I should be in a position to answer then,” Ogunbote told Goal.

    “As I talk to you I’m a free agent because I’m still in negotiation with 3SC.

    “If I would want to stay with 3SC in the next season my target will be to get a continental ticket. Let’s see everything for now as speculations.”

    Ogunbote helped 3SC finish in 12th place in the just concluded NPFL season despite inheriting a relegation threatened side mid-season.

    “It was not much, other than making the players believe in themselves that they can do it and we worked hard in terms of training and equally prayed very well, so those are the secrets,” he concluded.

  • Ubido thanks Gbenga Ogunbote

    Ubido thanks Gbenga Ogunbote

    Heartland attacking midfielder, Julius Ubido has thanked 3SC head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote for taking time out from his busy schedule to inquire of his health.

    The Nigerian play-maker left the grudged Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 22 clash in Oba in the 31st minute with a bloodied eye. The Owerri outfit were beaten in the encounter 1-3 by the Oluyole Warriors.

    Though 100% recovered from the eye injury, Ubido said he was touched by Ogunbote’s personal call almost immediately after the clash to ask how he was getting on with the injury.

    “I never knew that kindhearted and humane coaches still exist in our domestic league until I received a passionate call from 3SC coach, Gbenga Ogunbote inquiring about the eye injury I sustained in the match involving his side.

    “I was really touched by his care and compassion over my health and well-being even though he was not in any way responsible for the injury. That shows he is in a different class of coaches as well as an exceptional human being, I’m deep down grateful to him,” said Ubido to supersport.com.

    Ubido said he is 100% fit for the NPFL match day 23 clash at Nasarawa United in Lafia on Sunday.

    “I have fully recovered from the eye injury and will be available for selection for the Sunday’s clash at Nasarawa United in Lafia. I do not envisage any difficulty in the match once we come out in full force to play the game.

    “I’m confident we will pick a decent result, at least, to make up for the three points we ceded to 3SC in the last match in Oba. We have managed one point from a possible nine in our last three matches and that’s not really heartwarming to the campaign to secure a ticket to the continent,” said Ubido.

    Heartland are eighth on the 20-team Nigerian top flight on 33 points eight points behind league leaders and neighbours, Enyimba.

  • Why Sharks fell to Nasarawa-Ogunbote

    Why Sharks fell to Nasarawa-Ogunbote

    Sharks  FC’s  woes on the road continued unabated as the coach Gbenga Ogunbote tutored lads failed to pick a point following the 2 – 0 defeat in the hands of Nasarawa United at the Lafia Township Stadium on Sunday.

    But Coach Baba Ganaru of Nasarawa United described the match as highly tactical attributing the win to determination after suffering their heaviest defeat this season in the hands of Crown fc last Wednesday. Ganaru also praised Sharks for putting up a good fight in Lafia.

    “It was a very good match both teams exhibited tactical play, Sharks played a very good game and you know I have always said it that they are a very good side,”Ganaru said.

    “We suffered our heaviest defeat last week and because of our objective this season which is to play continental football next season I had to do more of psychology on the players and I think our determination paid off.”

    Meanwhile, Gbenga Ogunbote of Sharks fc blamed his side’s loss on their inability to react to dead ball situations as quickly as possible.

    “If you look at the latter part of the game our inability to react quickly to dead ball situations cost us the defeat,if we had reacted quickly we would not have conceded the goals,”Ogunbote said.

    When asked which player is to be blamed for the goals conceded, Ogunbote refused to single out any of his players. He said it was a collective effort.

    “Well, I will not single out any player for the loss because it was a collective effort. Out recovery rate was very bad, we did not get it right today. We will discuss it and I strongly believe that we will get it right in our next game.”

  • Sharks congratulate Ogunbote, Pyagbara

    Sharks congratulate Ogunbote, Pyagbara

    Management of Sharks fc has congratulated the duo of Gbenga Ogunbote and Christain Pyagbara for winning the League Bloggers Awards LBA for manager and player respectively for the month of April.

    General Manager of Sharks fc Okey Kpaluku who sent the congratulatory message onbehalf of the management of the club from Kenya described the award as timely and well deserved by the coach and player.

    Kpaluku added that the award will go a long way to motivate the team to break more ground this season and consolidate on its good run so far in the league by not dropping point at home and picking valuable point on the road.

    “Let me congratulate you on the award which did not come to us as a surprise because you truly worked for it and am sure this honour will spur you (coach and players) to do more in the field of play,” Kpaluku said.

    Responding to the award, technical adviser of the club and coach of the month of April Gbenga Ogunbote who was excited with the award commended the League Bloggers Awards for recognizing the input of coaches on the growth of the game in the local scene.

    He however attributed the award to the entire team and used the opportunity to call on the teeming fans of Sharks fc to come out in their numbers and support the team to victory against Giwa fc tomorrow(Wednesday) stressing that the ugly incident after the match against Enyimba fc will not repeat itself again.

    “Ah am very happy with this award, it goes to show that somebody somewhere appreciates what we coaches are doing in our team’ and I commend the initiators of this award for  doing a great job, “Ogunbote said.

    And player of the month of April Christain Pyagbara who expressed shock after he was singled out of the lots in the elite league for the award assured fans of the team that the award will ginger him to channel  his energy into achieving the ambitions of the team this season.

    “ I was shocked when I got wind of the award for the month of April and the much I can do now is do the best I can to ensure that Sharks fc wins a major silverware this season,” Pyagbara said.

    Gbenga Ogunbote nicked the manager’s award by edging out Kelechi Emeteole of Heartland, Salisu Yusuf of El-Kanemi Warriors and Paul Aigbogun of Warri Wolves, who were also shortlisted for the monthly award.

    Ogunbote was honoured for guiding Sharks to the top spot of the league table and also masterminded their away win at Kaduna United while they went unbeaten in five matches from Match Day 7 to 11.

    In the players category Pyagbara beat Saibou Badarou of Heartland, Osaguona Ighodaro of Enugu Rangers, Gbolahan Salami of Warri Wolves, Emem Eduok of Dolphins, Nnamso Edo of Akwa United and his teammate and goalkeeper, Danladi Isah to emerge winner.

    Pyagbara in the month under review scored three goals in the Glo Premier League including two in the road trip victory at Kaduna United and one against Nasarawa United and also played a vital role in the team’s overall performance in April.

     

  • OGUNBOTE RUES MISSED CHANCES AGAINST HEARTLAND

    OGUNBOTE RUES MISSED CHANCES AGAINST HEARTLAND

    SHARKS BOSS, Gbenga Ogunbote was full of regrets for his team’s inability to convert the chances they created in last Friday’s Glo Premier League clash against Heartland at the Dan Anyiam stadium.

    Both sides tried sizing each other up in the early part of the game but it was sharks that had opportunities to draw the first blood and on each ocassion the attackers went on holiday.

    Heartland equally had their own share of missed opportunities after dominating possession at some point but their attackers were just so shy in the box.

    Sharks inability to bury the game when they had the opportunity was a source of concern to coach Ogunbote in the match.

    “I was worried I will not lie to you because if want to be a champion you must not be wasteful, we would have wrapped it up in the first twenty minutes cos we had glaring chances”.Ogunbote said

    “Anyway it is still work in progress we will not get tired until we get the desired result”.

    Though bothered his team could not convert the chances that came their way. Ogunbote was however the least nervous that his defense will cave in following the barrage of attack in the closing minutes of the game.

    He attributed the pressure to a collapsed midfield hence the decision to increase the number of players in front of the ball.

    “I was comfortable believing that we will not make a careless mistake and we were trying to block because we lost the midfield and they kept pumping the ball so we had to block every of their move in the vital area to ensure that no ball enter our goal and we were able to do just that,” Ogunbote stressed .

    Goalkeeper of the side Danladi Isah was also not scared of letting a goal in as long as it was not just his business alone to ensure they come back to Port Harcourt with at least a point.

    “I won’t say I was scared because it’s not just me, it is a collective effort from the defence, midfield and attack everybody contributed to the result. I will just say we did our best to protect the last five minutes,” Isah added.

  • Sharks promise good start to season

    Sharks promise good start to season

    Sharks defender, Moses Awala, believes they have learned their lessons from last season and would make a positive start to the upcoming campaign.

    Sharks struggled throughout the first round of matches in 2012/13, and only got their act together in the second round to move up steadily from the relegation zone to the top half of the NPFL log.

    This time round, Awala wants to start the season as well as they ended the last one.

    He said unlike the start of last season, there is continuity in the team and that their performances in pre-season have set the ball rolling for the new campaign.

    “The main reason we struggled last season was because so many key players left the club at the end of the previous campaign,” he told supersport.com.

    “We only started getting the desired results when Gbenga Ogunbote came in and re-organised the side.

    “We have learned from the experience and nobody wants to be in that position again.

    “Most of the players that finished the season are still with us and the coaching crew is intact.

    “A few players have gone and there have been replacements, but it wont affect the team much.

    “The players have had more time preparing as a team, instead of trying to know themselves, which is very important.

    “We are having a very good pre-season and we’ll be ready by the start of the league.

    “We are confident we can put a good run of results together in the opening games and eventually finish higher up than we did last season.

    “Everything depends on the players. If we can remain disciplined, we have a team that could spring a surprise.”

    Sharks finished seventh in the NPFL last season with 53 points from 38 matches.

  • ENYIMBA 1-1 SHARKS Sharks don’t have a team yet – Ogunbote screams

    ENYIMBA 1-1 SHARKS Sharks don’t have a team yet – Ogunbote screams

    From Tunde Liadi,Owerri

    Sharks of Port Harcourt head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote has emphasised that the Blue Angels were still work in progress in spite of their road draw against Enyimba of Aba.

    The People’s Elephant got the first goal through Chinonso Okonkwo before Emeka Iyam restored parity for the visiting Blue Angels as the game ended 1-1.

    Speaking with SportingLife on telephone, Ogunbote disclosed that he has told his players not to let the away draw gets into their heads as they prepare for tougher challenges in their build up to the league season.

    He admitted that the away draw against giants, Enyimba was a big lift to their preparations but added that the impressive form won’t count for anything if the Blue Angels fail to hit the ground running when the premier league commences in a fortnight.

    “Complacent? I don’t think so. They know the assignment we have ahead and lagging behind can only draw us back. They have forgotten about the draw as they keep pace with the reality that we do not have a good team yet,” Ogunobote told SportingLife.