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Tag: Okpodu

  • Okpodu sure of Ikorodu Utd’s survival

    Okpodu sure of Ikorodu Utd’s survival

    Ikorodu United head coach, Sam Okpodu, still  believes that the Lagos club will not be relegated to the second tier of league football  at the end of this season.

    The former Nigeria women’s national team trainer said the Oga Boys “need to win three consecutive games” to beat the drop.

    Though Okpodu did not state which of the three successive fixtures in which he hopes to mastermind three straight wins, supersport.com’s check on the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) calendar for this season shows that Ikorodu United’s next three games are against Lobi Stars (away), Enyimba (home) and the derby with MFM (away).

    “We are not going to be relegated. We need to win three consecutive games to escape relegation,” said Okpodu.

    Ikorodu United have been unable to win consecutive games this season. Their best back-to-back results in the top tier remains taking four points from their opening two games this season in the 1-1 draw with Abia Warriors and 1-0 win over Lobi Stars, both home matches at the Onikan Stadium.

    The Oga Boys are currently in 19th place in the NPFL standings with 15 points from 21 matches.

  • Ikorodu’s draw excites Okpodu

    Ikorodu’s draw excites Okpodu

    Ikorodu United head coach Sam Okpodu has said his side are happy with their first top-flight away point at Abia Warriors.

    Okpodu said questionable calls from the referees robbed his side of what would have been a well deserved victory on the road.

    “Poor calls robbed us of a golden opportunity to beat Abia Warriors hands down right here in Umuahia. The League Management Company (LMC) has actually done a lot to improve the league, but I believe they still need to put a close tab on some of the referees. The referees in today’s (Wednesday) game were poor.

    “However, we are happy with the away point; it will serve as a huge boost in our subsequent matches. I must commend the players for maintaining their composure throughout the game in the face of poor calls.

    “I’m really proud of the players as well as their performance, they played very well and have ignited a strong hope of survival. We are certain to profit from this away draw when we confront Akwa United on home soil at the weekend,” said the former Warri Wolves coach to supersport.com.

  • IKORODU UTD 0-1 WIKKI:Okpodu calls stone-throwing ‘fans’ hooligans

    IKORODU UTD 0-1 WIKKI:Okpodu calls stone-throwing ‘fans’ hooligans

    Ikorodu United head coach, Sam Okpodu has described as hooligans the ‘fans’ who threw stones and verbal insults at him and the coaching crew during and after the top-flight clash against Wikki Tourists.

    The crowd, apparently unhappy with the sliding fortune of the Lagos outfit coupled with the 1-0 home loss to Wikki Tourists, took their anger out on the coaches and officials.

    “These people who threw stones at us were not fans or supporters of the team but hooligans whose sole intention is to destroy the team and I think they must be banned or stopped forthwith before they finally destroy the beautiful game and team.

    “Their unruly behaviour is not good and healthy for football, they are a real clog in the wheel of progress of the team. They are the main problem of the team as they hardly allow us time to concentrate on the game.

    “I do not think their antics are ripe for productive purposes. The more we try to work out a practical solution to improve the side’s fortune the more they distract us and they should be permanently checked for the team to move ahead,” said the former Warri Wolves coach to supersport.com.

    The home loss to the Bauchi-based side leaves the newcomers deeper and rooted on the bottom on just 13 points from 19 matches.

  • We’re on the right path -Okpodu

    We’re on the right path -Okpodu

    Ikorodu United head coach, Sam Okpodu has said his side are on the right path to stamp their authority in the top flight.

    The newcomers lost 1-2 to former champions, Kano Pillars in yesterday’s NPFL matchday 15 clash at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

    Okpodu said though his side are yet to get their act right 100% the newcomers have made appreciable and commendable progress in their immediate past three matches.

    “Obviously, there have been progresses in our last three matches from El Kanemi Warriors through to Heartland and Kano Pillars.

    “Though we are yet to hit it 100% right but we are gradually getting there as shown in the 1-2 loss to Kano Pillars.

    “We are coming up on the progress ladder but we are not going to give up the fight until we reach our height.

    “We will surprise a lot of people with some stunning results as the season’s progresses.

    “We will get key results that will shock our doubters even before the midterm break.

    “Of course, we are working round the clock and assiduously hard to remain in the Nigerian top flight.

    “Surely, we will get experienced and matured players in the midterm that will help us finish matches strongly,” said the former Warri Wolves coach to supersport.com.

    The defeat at the Kano landlords leaves the Oga Boys rooted at the bottom of the 20-team top flight on paltry nine points from possible 45 in the 15-week old league.

  • Super 4 ‘ll prepare us for Champions League-Okpodu

    Super 4 ‘ll prepare us for Champions League-Okpodu

    Warri Wolves handler, Sam Okpodu has described the ongoing 2015/2016 Glo Premier League Super 4 as a preparatory tournament for his team which didn’t have the benefit of any pre-season friendly games. He said aside preparing the team for the CAF Champions League, the players are also being primed for the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League season.

    Addressing the post-match press conference after losing 1-0 to Nasarawa United FC, Okpodu said that the tournament should not be considered a yardstick to measure the capacity of the 2015/2016 Glo Premier League runners-up. Okpodu said the tournament is offering the team an opportunity to appraise how ready they are for the coming season.

    Okpodu, whose captain Goodluck Onamandu bagged red card in the game for two card offenses, noted that his team needed to double their effort and work harder to be in top shape ahead of the coming season.

    “This Glo Super 4- is a good pre-season test for us, it is a good opportunity for us to further prepare for the coming season for the fact that we will be playing this preseason here in Kaduna and another one in Uyo. The tournament is good but it not a yardstick to measure how good we are but how ready we are for the coming season.”

    Speaking about their loss to Nasarawa United, Okpodu lamented the team’s inability to convert their chances. He said that the team played well against Nasarawa United but failed to make good use of their opportunities.

    “The opportunities we had we didn’t capitalise. If we scored our goals there would be no challenge for us. It showed that our team still need work, we would develop and work hard. We would go back sleep over the performance and prepare for our last match.

    “This is the preparation for us going into the continent. This is only a week and half since resumed from the Christmas break and I am confident that by next week we would be much ready. These boys will play anybody, anytime because physical or not our opponents would have to play football.”

    Warri Wolves are tied on three points with Akwa United after two matches and would play League defending champions, Enyimba FC of Aba in their last match of the pre-season tournament today.

  • Okpodu steps in at Warri Wolves • To act for Aigbogun

    Okpodu steps in at Warri Wolves • To act for Aigbogun

    The responsibility to prepare Warri Wolves for the 2014/2015 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) opener against newly promoted Gabros Int’l and the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup match against Dedebit  FC of Ethiopia on March 15, will now be the sole responsibility of Wolves Chief Coach, Sam Okpodu.

    Okpodu will take charge of the Seasiders because of the departure of the team’s technical adviser, Paul Aigbogun to the United Kingdom, for the NFF organised capacity enhancing programme which will last two weeks.

    Okpodu, who once featured for the then Green Eagles and known for his knack for goals will work with the other assistants, coach Anosike and coach Atune Jolomi in what is regarded as an uphill task but surmountable.

    According to the Media Manager of Warri Wolves, Etu Moses, Aigbogun officially handed over to the assistant coaches led by Sam Okpodu with an advice to do their best by winning the two matches.

    Ex-international, Sam Okpodu said they are happy that the technical adviser is going to acquire more knowledge which will help the club move forward and they hope to gain from him when he comes back.

    Okpodu further assured all stakeholders that they will do a good job and will not disappoint  Aigbogun and wish him the best and a safe trip to the United Kingdom and back home.

    Meanwhile, Warri Wolves FC resumed preparation for their league opener against Gabros Int’l who just won the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 4 in Ilorin immediately after the victory over RC Bobo Dioulasso at the weekend in the CAF competition, knowing well that they have to start well so as to end well in the league.