The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ogunbote

  • Ogunbote wants ‘clinical’ Sharks in Akure

    Ogunbote wants ‘clinical’ Sharks in Akure

    Sharks head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote, is propping up his team to be “clinical” when they face Sunshine Stars in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game in Akure tomorrow.

    Ogunbote is hoping that his men will put up an even better performance against Sunshine Stars than their 4-0 win over ABS in mid-week.

    “I am happy my boys came out in the second half to kill off the game (against ABS) after struggling to score one goal in the first half and we will certainly try and improve on some grey areas discovered so that the boys will be clinical in Akure against Sunshine Stars tomorrow,” Ogunbote said.

    Ogunbote is making a return to Akure where he managed Sunshine Stars between 2009 and 2012. He also talked on his time at the Akure club, adding that he expects “a warm reception” when he steps out on the turf of the Akure Township Stadium.

    The Sharks also made it clear he left Sunshine Stars after guiding them to back-to-back semifinals in the 2012 Caf Champions League and 2011 Confederation Cup.

    “They didn’t sack me (at Sunshine Stars), as I just felt it was high time I left them. I am sure they still want me back and as such will give me a warm reception but when the game gets underway you can never say what will happen,” Ogunbote said.

    The Sharks gaffer is eyeing a respectable finish this season after a poor start that left the Blue Angels in bottom spot for long spells in the course of this season.

    Ogunbote will not want to be drawn into the talk of guiding Sharks to a continental slot in first tenure as the club’s head coach.

    “The dream of everybody is to get a continental but I would like to maintain my stand that I want to finish the season respectably. It’s not just escaping relegation because we started poorly. It is to finish well so that people will at the end say we have done a good job,” Ogunbote remarked.

  • Ogunbote, Udoji win LBA awards

    Ogunbote, Udoji win LBA awards

    Sharks head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote and Enyimba captain, Chinedu Udoji, have been named the Manager and Player of the League Bloggers Awards (LBA) for August respectively.

    Ogunbote emerged LBA Manager for August after guiding his team, Sharks, away from the drop. Sharks spent eight straight matchdays in bottom spot between Week 14 and 21 before their resurgence under Ogunbote.

    However, the month of August under review between matchdays 23 and 29 saw Sharks garner 13 points, same as table-topping Bayelsa United and El-Kanemi Warriors.

    But Ogunbote nicked the LBA ahead of the duo of Ladan Bosso (Bayelsa United) and Zachary Baraje (El-Kanemi Warriors) after his team notched up an away win at Dolphins and a draw at Kwara United.

    As at Matchday 22 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Sharks occupied 19th spot but their impressive run in August has seen them jump to 12th.

    All of the wins by Bayelsa United and El-Kanemi were from four home matches each. They managed a point each on the road at Sunshine Stars and Akwa United respectively.

    For the LBA Player for August, Udoji came up against Rafael Boumsong (El-Kanemi Warriors), Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars), Christian Pyagbara (Sharks), Ndubuisi Ekwuruibe (Kaduna United), Musa Najare (Warri Wolves) and Victor Namo (Nasarawa United).

    Boumsong, Ekwuruibe, Namo, Najare, Ali and Pyagbara played pivotal roles in their teams run in August but it was the defensive performance of Udoji that caught the attention of the LBA panel.

    Udoji proved to be a defensive leader for Enyimba and helped them keep five clean sheets out of seven games in August against Nembe City, Warri Wolves, Kaduna United, Gombe United and Dolphins.

    The LBA winners for August will be presented with their awards later this month.

    WINNERS THIS SEASON:

    MARCH 2013

    Player: Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars)

    Manager: Mohammed Baba Ganaru (Kano Pillars)

    APRIL 2013

    Player: Oghenekaro Etebo (Warri Wolves)

    Manager: Solomon Ogbeide (Warri Wolves)

    MAY 2013

    Player: Adamu Yahaya (Kwara United)

    Manager: Samson Unuanel (Kwara United)

    JUNE 2013

    Player: Terkaa Melai (Lobi Stars)

    Manager: Solomon Ogbeide (Warri Wolves)

    JULY 2013

    Player: Mfon Udoh (Akwa United)

    Manager: Zachary Baraje (El-Kanemi Warriors)

  • Ogunbote: Sharks eyeing continental ticket

    Ogunbote: Sharks eyeing continental ticket

    Sharks FC of Port Harcourt on Thursday said that their 2-1 victory over Wikki Tourists of Bauchi in week 28 of the Globacom League would enable them escape relegation.

    Gbenga Ogunbote, the Technical Adviser of the club, disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday in Port Harcourt moments after the midweek match played at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sharks are currently 10th on the 20-team League with 39 points from 28 matches and with 10 to go in the season. Ogunbote, however, added that the club were poised to get a continental ticket at the end of the season, if the opportunity arose.

    According to him, the victory over Wikki was one way of achieving the objective.

    ‘’ We are happy with the win over Wikki Tourists. It was a tough one and we are delighted with the victory.

    ‘’ The victory will boost our chances of staying away from the relegation zone.

    ‘’Our target now is to get some points on the road and get a continental ticket in the process,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that Abraham Okereke scored for Sharks in the 28th minute while Ibrahim Shuaibu equalised for Wikki in the 51st minute.

    Stowe scored Sharks’ victory goal in the 73rd minute.

  • Ogunbote praises Sharks’ players despite defeat

    Ogunbote praises Sharks’ players despite defeat

    • Says Blue Angels deserve a point in Kano

    Sharks head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote has praised the effort of his wards despite losing by the odd goal to Kano Pillars in a Glo Premier League matchday 27 tie played at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Saturday.

    It was the only strike from Super Eagles’ player, Gambo Mohammed in the 73rd minute that separated both sides in the highly technical match.

    Ogunbote, who has steered the Blue Angels away from the relegation zone, told SportingLife that his players fought like warriors and should have at least left Kano with a point if not the maximum points.

    He stated that he would never comment on the performance of the match officials but he would instead channel his energy towards their next match at home to Wikki Tourists on Wednesday.

    The former Gateway and Sunshine Stars gaffer has expressed his gratitude to God for using him to ensure that Sharks take a leap up the ladder than the bottom they had stayed for most part of the campaign.

    “We lost narrowly to Pillars. We had the game in our possession for most part of the game and we ought to at least get a point if not the three points. I won’t talk about the officiating because it has never been my style to speak about it in the media.

    “We have taken the defeat in our stride. We shall go back to Port Harcourt and hope for a win at home to Wikki Tourists on Wednesday.

    “We thank God for our present position and we hope to strive harder to get as many points as possible to end the season impressively,” Ogunbote said to SportingLife.

    Sharks have 36 points from 27 games while Pillars’ win sent them back to the top of the league. They have amassed 45 points from 26 games. They face Heartland at Owerri on Wednesday.

  • Ogunbote appeals to fans

    Gbenga Ogunbote, the Technical adviser of Sharks football club of Port Harcourt, has apologised to fans and supporters of the team for letting them down in the Federation Cup.

    The Blue Angels were knocked out in the Round of 16 via a penalty shoot out by defending champions, Heartland of Owerri.

    Ogunbote, who made the apology after the game at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, called on the fans not to lose faith in the team, insisting that the boys need them now, more than ever, to have a respectable finish in the league.

    “On behalf of the team, I want to appeal for the understanding of the fans, because I know losses like these could be very painful, especially when you have seen your team in the next round, Ogunbote said.

    “The fans should not lose faith in us because of the Federation Cup loss to Heartland, we need them now, more than ever to do well in the league,” Ogunbote said.

    The elimination of Sharks brings to an end the participation of Rivers State in the Federation Cup. Dolphins, the other team from the state, were knocked out in the Round of 32.

  • LEAGUE IMPROVEMENT Ogunbote commends LMC

    LEAGUE IMPROVEMENT Ogunbote commends LMC

    Gbenga Ogunbote, Coach of Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, on Tuesday commended the League Management Company (LMC), for the notable improvements in the ongoing 2012/2013 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NPFL is currently on a two-week break and will resume on July 3 at the various centres across the country.

    Ogunbote told NAN on telephone that the team’s epileptic start to the season will not in any way dampen their morale in the second stanza.

    He added that the management and players were striving towards the second stanza with great expectations.

    “Our intention is to work harder to improve; we also look forward to the second phase of the league where I sense that Sharks will do better.

    “I must commend the LMC for a job well done; but there is always room for more improvement.

    “There are loopholes, obviously, but I hope something will be done about it,’’ Ogunbote said.

    He also added that the team was doing its best to blend the new players into its pattern of play.

    “We fortified our team earlier; so, I doubt if we will need more new players. They are gradually settling in; but if the need arises, we might look to get one or two,’’ he said.

    Ogunbote, who was a former coach of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure, also told NAN that Sharks would do everything within their means to retain their place in the NPFL.

    He urged the club’s teeming fans to keep faith with the team and not to relent in their support for it.

  • Sharks have no team – Ogunbote

    Sharks have no team – Ogunbote

    Rules out team’s being relegated

    The new technical adviser of Sharks football club of Port Harcourt, Gbenga Ogunbote has revealed that the club does not have the manpower needed to prosecute the matches of the Nigeria Professional Football League.

    Speaking after dropping more vital points in Port Harcourt on Sunday against Kano Pillars, he noted that though the club can only boast of five points and two goals from seven games and that the team has improved visibly under him would not be relegated.

    Ogunbote asked for understanding and patience from the fans and all concerned promising that his crew will do all humanly possible to ensure that the team progresses.

    “The truth of the matter is that, I must confess to you that the team is weak. Like I told you, we don’t have a team that can compete in the professional league. There is no two ways about that: I don’t have a team that can compete actively for this tournament.

    “We are just trying to make the best use of the worst situation. I didn’t plan to play draw against Pillars we planned to win but unfortunately we didn’t. But I think the boys are actually improving. We are trying to psyche them up and to let them know that they can do better than they are doing.

    “I know that the team is improving and it has to be a gradual process but I can assure you that by the special grace of God, relegation is out of it. We are still going to do everything humanly possible to ensure we do better than we have done against Pillars but I just want us to understand this

    “We are asking for understanding and patience from the fans. We will get there,” he assured.

    Meanwhile, the Rivers state sports boss, Fred Igwe, has assured fans clamouring for change that a new Sharks will emerge by week nine.

    “I was not too comfortable with fact that as at last season, all Sharks players apart from Odinga were on loan. Is that how to run a team? That’s not how to run a team,” he queried and answered at the same time. “So this is a fresh team,” he continued, “and we are going to continue like this until we get it right. And by week nine, we are injecting new players where we find deficiencies.”

     

  • Ogunbote: Good pitches needed in NPFL

    Ogunbote: Good pitches needed in NPFL

    Gbenga Ogunbote, the newly-appointed Coach of Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, has urged facility managers of league stadiums across the country to ensure that their pitches are well-maintained for league matches.

    Ogunbote told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that a well maintained turf would ensure fluency in the flow of the game and make matches more interesting.

    “I am impressed with the facility on ground in Port Harcourt and the one in Abia, which shows that the managers are doing their jobs. Other stadium managers should emulate what they are doing and strive to even get better than them,’’ Ogunbote said.

    He added that all the clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) had ample time to put their pitches in good condition, before the season kicked-off on March 9.

    “The season did not kick-off when it was supposed to, which I believe must have given them enough time to prepare very well, before the commencement,’’ the coach said.

    On the issue of having accurate match data from matches, the former Sunshine Stars FC of Akure coach charged the League Management Committee (LMC) to be up and doing.

    “They should ensure that accurate and easily accessible match records are kept in their data bank, for public consumption. Having such critical records in place will also aid the LMC to monitor on a weekly basis the level of performance of the NPFL clubs,’’ he added.

  • Ogunbote, Lam Adesina deny 3SC move

    Ogunbote, Lam Adesina deny 3SC move

    COACH Gbenga Ogunbote as well as Oyo commissioner Dapo Lam Adesina have dismissed reports linking the ex-Sunshine Stars coach to 3SC.

    The experienced handler told MTNFootball.com that he has not discussed with anyone as regards teaming up with Shooting Stars for the coming season. He said: “I have not discussed joining Shooting Stars with anyone. Last season, I discussed this with the commissioner (Dapo Lam Adesina).

    “I do not have an agent, and if there is anyone claiming to be representing me, that would be an impersonation. All what is now being said are just lies.”

    Oyo State sports commissioner Lam Adesina also collaborated Ogunbote’s position. “I have not spoken to Ogunbote for the past six, seven months now. And when we spoke then it was to do with the coaching job at 3SC just as I spoke to other coaches like Fatai Amoo and Alphonsus Dike,” Adesina said.

    “The two coaches we have now are doing a good job and we do not need to change a winning team. I will stand by them until they prove me otherwise.” He added: “We know the mischief makers behind all these, but we will not be detracted from taking Shooting Stars back to where they rightly belong.”

    Ogunbote equally maintained his pedigree as a coach did not start and will not end with Sunshine Stars. “I made my name at NEPA and Gateway even before I moved to Sunshine. The records are there for anyone to see,” he said.

    “My achievements have been through dint of hard work and dedication, and it will continue to be so.”

    A section of the Shooting Stars has kicked against the coming of the coach who led Sunshine to the semi-finals of this year’s CAF Champions League, insisting caretaker coaches Tunde Odubola and Hakeem Busari be allowed to continue for the forthcoming season.