The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Technical Adviser

  • Eagles play passionately- Pinnick

    Eagles play passionately- Pinnick

    Amaju Pinnick, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has charged the Super Eagles to approach the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against the Lions of Cameroon in Uyo with a never-say-die mentality.

    The match comes up on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

    Pinnick, in a statement released by Demola Olajire, Head of Communication, NFF, on Thursday, urged the team to commit heart, soul and spirit to the match.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles are topping Group B with six points, from two matches.

    Nigeria is four points ahead of second-placed Cameroon, who have also played two matches.

    Pinnick said: “The much-respected Nigerian spirit that conquers so many adversities will see the three-time African champions through.

    “ But the Eagles must approach the game with a never-say-die mentality at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

    “This is a very crucial match and the players know so.

    “The Cameroonians are not coming here to simply appraise the serenity and beauty of the city of Uyo; they are coming to contest the three points.

    “The Super Eagles must throw everything – their body, heart and spirit – into the game.

    “Those three points are very important to our FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, and I am confident we will get them,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has announced former junior international Ikechukwu Ezenwa and two other former junior international goalkeepers, Dele Ajiboye and Dele Alampasu, as part of the team.

    Mikel John Obi, Victor Moses, Oghenekaro Etebo and John Ogu, Odion Ighalo, Anthony Nwakaeme and Aaron Samuel are in Uyo ready for the match.

    Germany-based Leon Balogun, who missed the clash with South Africa is back and is likely to pair Olympic bronze medallist, William Ekong, in central defence.

    Another Olympic bronze medallist, Abdullahi Shehu, as well as Elderson Echiejile, Tyronne Ebuehi, Uche Agbo and Chidozie Awaziem also available to fortify the defence.

    England-based Wilfred Ndidi and Turkey-based duo of Ogenyi Onazi and Mikel Agu are also available in the midfield, while Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon and Kelechi Iheanacho, are attackers in the team.

    Olajire said that Friday’s match would kick off at 5p.m.

    The return leg is scheduled to hold on Sept. 4, at Stade Omnisports Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde, Cameroun.

  • Rangers FC suspends Coach Amapakabo

    Rangers FC suspends Coach Amapakabo

     

    Rangers Football Club of Enugu has suspended its Technical Adviser, Imama Amapakabo “for security reasons.’’

    Foster Chimem, spokesman for club, said the supporters were restless over the poor performance of the club.
    Chime told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Enugu on Monday that the decision was prompted by the supporter’s action toward the coach after the 2-2 draw with Zesco United of Zambia on April 9.
    “The supporters nearly beat him up after we conceded two goals advantage within four minutes to the Zambians.
    “Some supporters went after him, but for the security personnel that escorted him out, it would have been a calamity.
    “So, the management has no option than to ask him to step aside so that he will stop being a target of the fans’’, he said.
    He recalled that the management decided to continue with Amapakabo even as he could not deliver during his three-match ultimatum.
    The spokesman noted that the management refused to take any action on the coach as they believed that he could do better..
    “It is unfortunate that the supporters revolted over the club’s performance against Zesco Utd and Amapakabo happened to be their target’’, Chime said.
    Chime said the club had no intention of asking the coach to go because he still had the magic of champions in him.

     

  • Heartland unveil new Technical Adviser

    Heartland unveil new Technical Adviser

    Heartland new Technical Adviser, Emmanuel Deutsch has stated that he will only select players that will form the fulcrum of the next Naze Millionaires on merit.

    Deutsch, who is not new to the Nigerian league hails from Cameroon but has coached different clubs in the elite division including Akwa United, JUTH FC and FC IfeanyiUbah in Nigeria, was unveiled yesterday at the club’s house inside Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

    The Technical Adviser beckoned on government officials and others to allow him do his job and that he won’t accept any letter from anybody for any player to receive preferential treatment in order to sign for the Owerri side.

    Deutsch pointed out that all players of the club both old and intending ones should report for the start of pre-season camping on or before 7am on Tuesday and that he would give all players enough chance to prove their worth during the training sessions.

    In attendance during the unveiling were the Chief Operating Officer of Heartland, Oscar Keke, Media Officer, Solomon Onu and Club Supervisor, Ugonna Ozuruigbo among other dignitaries.

    A member of the Technical Committee named to constitute a new technical crew and management for the club, Emeka Iwuagwu confirmed that he and some other members of the committee gave their input before Deutsch, the new Technical Adviser was employed.

    He, however, sued for peace between the two factions while calling on the state government to call both parties to a meeting and settle the friction that could derail the ambition of the team next season, if not nip in the bud.

    Meanwhile, the Director of Media of the other Heartland team, Cajetan Nkwopara confirmed that they were not aware of the appointment of Deutsch as head coach and that he and other management members including the chairman, Chibuzor Etuemena were at Orji Comprehensive Secondary School for the final of the Talent Hunt Competition they organised to get new players for the Heartland’s feeder team.

  • Paul Le Guen is Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser

    Paul Le Guen is Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser

    •Salisu Yusuf is Chief Coach

    The Technical and Development Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation yesterday named Frenchman Paul Le Guen, 52, as the new Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles. He will be assisted by Salisu Yusuf, who takes the role of Chief Coach. The appointments are subject to agreement of contract terms with the NFF Executive Committee.

    New Eagles’ boss, Le Guen steered the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals. He played for Brest, Nantes and Paris Saint Germain and won 17 caps for France, before coaching Rennes, Lyon, PSG (in France) and Glasgow Rangers (in Scotland). He also coached Oman.

    Yusuf, capped at Under 20 level by Nigeria, called the shots in interim capacity for two international friendly matches in Europe at the end of May, which the Eagles won.

    Spokesman of the Committee, Paul Bassey, told thenff.com after the meeting at the NFF secretariat yesterday that Enugu Rangers gaffer Imama Amapakabo and former Super Eagles’ goalkeeper and skipper, Alloy Agu, who served as assistant coach and goalkeeper trainer for the games against Mali and Luxembourg in May, retain their places in the technical crew.

    The new crew’s immediate challenge is a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania in the first week of September – a dead rubber, but which would serve as ample preparation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match away to Zambia on October 3.

    The Committee has also recommended to the NFF Board, the appointment of one-time Super Eagles’ assistant coach Bitrus Bewarang as the new NFF Technical Director. Bewarang, who is president of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, will replace the late Coach Shaibu Amodu.

    There is also a recommendation that former Super Eagles’ defender Nduka Ugbade be restored to the Under 17 National Team as assistant to Coach Manu Garba.

  • TECHNICAL ADVISER: Ikhana meets with 3SC players

    TECHNICAL ADVISER: Ikhana meets with 3SC players

    The management of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, 3SC on Monday introduced Kadiri Ikhana as the side’s new technical adviser for the upcoming season.

    Ikhana guided Enyimba to win their seventh league title on a record 70 points in the out gone 2014/15 NPFL season.

    An official of the side, Jubril Arowolo said the former Kwara United handler has already been introduced to the players as he expressed satisfaction with the new challenge at the Ibadan landlords.

    “The management has finally appointed Kadiri Ikhana as technical adviser for the coming NPFL season. Ikhana was introduced to the players after Monday afternoon’s training where he expressed his joy to work with 3SC.

    “Though no expressed mandate is handed to him but both parties expect a better performance than last season. The management has absolute confidence in Ikhana to deliver the goods at the right time at least to take the side further than their ninth finish in the out gone season.

    “With Ikhana’s pedigree and reputation it won’t be asking for too much to expect him to deliver the league title or earn a continental ticket at the end of the coming season.

    “Ikhana told the players that he is happy with the new challenge and said together they will lift 3SC to a higher height,” said Arowolo to supersport.com.

    Ikhana now replaces former helmsman, Gbenga Ogunbote who has switched allegiance to the Jos based side, Giwa FC.

    The Oluyole Warriors will kickoff their league title account against Lobi Stars in Ibadan at the start of the 2015/16 NPFL season on February 21.

  • TECHNICAL ADVISER JOB: 3SC may pick Henry Abiodun

    TECHNICAL ADVISER JOB: 3SC may pick Henry Abiodun

    • To unveil new coach next week

    Former Sunshine Stars of Akure coach, Henry Abiodun has been favoured to be named as the new Technical Adviser of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan.

    SportingLife understands that Abiodun and former Enyimba coach, Kadiri Ikhana applied for the  job.

    It is believed that  Abiodun and Ikhana have been interviewed for the job.

    The position became vacant following the exit of the former manager, Gbenga Ogunbote who has joined Giwa FC of Jos.

    A source in Ibadan told SportingLife that: “Abiodun and Ikhana wanted the job but the way things are now I think Henry Abiodun could land the job.”

    However, news filtered in on Thursday evening that the Oluyole Warriors management would unveil Khadiri Ikhana as the new technical adviser on Friday.

    But when contacted to confirm Ikhana’s unveiling, the club’s media officer, Jubril Arowolo told SportingLife that he was not aware of any unveiling of a new coach on Friday.

    “We don’t know where the people got the report that we want to unveil Ikhana today (Friday). There is no truth in that story. We have not picked anybody but we would decide on that by next week. As at today (Friday) there is no unveiling of any coach in our camp but if at all there is going to be a new technical adviser it should be by next week.

    “People should get things right. We have a coach on ground which is Bright Omokaro. Ogunbote was our technical adviser, so if anybody is coming in, he is coming in as a technical adviser. Our coach who assisted Ogunbote is Bright Omokaro. He has been in charge since the beginning of the preparation and he is very much in charge. So I don’t know anything about the unveiling of a new coach,” Arowolo told SportingLife.

  • Kwara United divided over choice of Technical Adviser

    SportingLife can reveal that the management of Kwara United are in dilemma over the appointment of new Technical Adviser for the club.

    It was gathered that the top chieftains of the club are in favour of different candidates who they think capable of leading the club.

    The club’s Technical Adviser position was declared vacant after the management refused to offer the former coach Samson Unuanel new contract.

    Information from the team’s camp revealed that coach Tunde Abdulrahman, Tunde Sanni and Abdullahi Biffo are the leading candidates among those that were interviewed on Monday for the vacant job.

    A source told SportingLife that some group favored Abdulrahman, others wanted Sanni while another group considered Biffo as a right candidate.

    Our source also revealed that the management want Abdulrahman as Technical Adviser while Biffo as chief coach.

    The latest development, it was gathered, has made the management to put on hold the process of declaring any candidate while seeking government’s help on the issue.

    “The situation is taking another dimension now because three candidates are in the fore-front now. And all of them have backers in the club. After the interview on Monday some people want Abdulrahman, others want Biffo and Sanni. I think at this moment State government need to intervene to resolve the issue,” an inside source told SportingLife.

     Meanwhile, some members of the former technical crew have petition the state government over their sack by the management.

    SportingLife gathered that the aggrieved members submitted their letter at the government house on Monday while the management received the copy on Tuesday.

    The coaches alleged in the letter that their sack was an attempt by the management to cover up some anomalies happened in the club thereby making them a scapegoat.

  • Pillars appoint Baleria as Technical Adviser

    Pillars appoint Baleria as Technical Adviser

    • Maikaba remains chief coach

    The management of Kano Pillars has appointed coach Kabiru Baleria as the club’s Technical Adviser.

    Baleria replaced former handler, Baba Ganaru who left the club to join Nasarawa United.

    The club’s media officer, Idris Malikawa told SportingLife that the appointment was approved by the board during its meeting on Thursday at the club’s secretariat in Kano.

    Malikawa informed that Pillars’ acting head coach Abdul Maikaba will now serve as the chief coach.

    The board appealed to the Kano State Government to approve Pillars’ request to appoint the new Technical Adviser considering the challenges ahead of the club.

    Malikwa added that the board adopted the report of its Sub-Committee for the CAF Champions League, urging them to forge ahead and come up with more recommendations that will guide the club to success.

    The Abba Yola-led board commended the Kano State Governor, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso for his support to the team and assured that the board will not fail him and the people of Kano. He urged politicians in Kano to avoid bringing politics into the club’s affairs. The management then pleaded with the people of the state and fans of Pillars to continue praying for the team’s success.

    “The management has considered lots of things before reaching these conclusions. We have limited time to prepare for the CAF Champions League and we don’t want to leave anything to chance. We don’t want that to distract the club’s programmes,” Malikawa told SportingLife.

  • …Club set to unveil Ikhana as new technical adviser

    …Club set to unveil Ikhana as new technical adviser

    The management of Kano Pillars of Kano is set to unveil Coach Kadiri Ikhana as its new technical adviser.

    Sportinglife gathered from a source in the team, that the former international would be unveiled in the next few weeks. Quoting the source who is a top official of the team, ‘I think we are more familiar with Kadiri Ikhana. He has worked with us in the past, and he has good records to show for it, so we would be more comfortable with him. This is not taking anything away from Coach Okey Emordi who is also good in his own pedigree, but it is only one of them that we need to hire’ he said.

    When Sportinglife contacted the Chairman of the club, Abba Yola, on this, he was not forthcoming, but said ‘one thing that we are sure now is that it is either Kadiri Ikhana or Okey Emordi we would engage. We have made our recommendations to the government, and we are waiting for their approval. One thing you should know is that we would announce our Coach very soon. There is no cause for alarm,we are very much on course’ he concluded.

  • Crown unveil Akpokona as Technical Adviser today

    Crown unveil Akpokona as Technical Adviser today

    Crown FC of Ogbomosho have taken veteran tactician, Lawrence Akpokona out of coaching retirement and will unveil him as their new technical adviser today at the Soun Stadium, a top official of the club has revealed.

    Crown stayed in the lower league for over two seasons before gaining promotion to the elite division last season when they placed second to Abia Warriors in the Nigeria National League Group B.

    The club failed to make meaningful impact at the just-concluded Super Four for the NNL clubs that got promotion to the Premier League. They finished fourth behind Giwa FC, Abia Warriors and Taraba United in the competition held in Abuja.

    Crown FC’s media officer Kunle Oyeleye told SportingLife that all arrangements have been concluded to unveil Coach Akpokona as their new technical adviser today to the fans, supporters and people of Ogbomosho.

    Oyeleye said that Crown FC chairman, Noah Bello would be on hand to perform the ceremony rituals while fans, football enthusiasts and supporters of the club would be in attendance. Some top officials of the club and some key officials of the Oyo State government are also expected to grace the occasion.

    Oyeleye, however, noted that Akpokona was only hired to complement the work of the current technical crew because of his experience and track record and that was not hired to take anybody’s job. Oladunni Oyekale still remains the head coach while Daniel Ogunmodede and Babalola Oseni are to continue serving as Assistant Coach and Trainer respectively. Mohammed Bello still remains the goalkeeper’s coach.

    “We shall unveil our new Technical Adviser by name Lawrence Akpokona tomorrow (today) at Ogbomosho. We are pulling him out of retirement to come and bring his wealth of experience to bear with Crown.”

    Akpokona is to take up the position that had been vacant since the sack of former Technical Adviser, Ganiyu Salami in 2011.