The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Unuanel

  • Unuanel pained by Enyimba’s Cup mishap

    Unuanel pained by Enyimba’s Cup mishap

    Enyimba’s assistant coach, Samson Unuanel, has said his charges did not play “to their full potentials” in Saturday’s Federation Cup semifinal defeat to Nasarawa United.

    Unuanel, however, said they have themselves to blame for failing to beat Nasarawa United on Saturday at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.

    “It was one of the bad games played by Enyimba this season. So many mistakes were made. It hurts because we created so many begging chances but none  was converted. We congratulate Nasarawa United for the win,” Unuanel told supersport.com.

    Enyimba failed to successfully defend their Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title, crashed out of the CAF Champions League at the group stage and failed to add to their four Federation Cup triumphs.

    Unuanel agrees things could have been a lot better for the club this term and described it as “a bad season”.

    “These things happen, even to a big club like Enyimba. When they happen, there is nothing you can do about it. It was a bad season and we will learn from it,” he said.

  • Unuanel likes Akwa Utd NPFL tie

    Unuanel likes Akwa Utd NPFL tie

    Sunshine Stars head coach, Samson Unuanel has described as morale boost the ‘Owena Waves’ top flight matchday 1 clash against in-form side, Akwa United.

    Sunshine will host the Promise Keepers in Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 1 tie at the Akure Township Stadium.

    “Playing Akwa United on matchday 1 is quite good for me it will give us a boost and lift with a win heading into the next matches. Akwa United are damn privileged to have in their kitty the Federation Cup, NPFL Super 4, Charity Cup titles as well as continental win in Congo against Vita Club Mokanda. We are ready for the opening day clash and we will surely give it to them the way they wanted it.

    “I want to win my first match in-charge of Sunshine Stars, I’m always greedy and tasty for victory. I’m playing 38 matches I’m lucky to give it very hard first and foremost to Akwa United.

    “The game is sure to be tough but we will try to send them back home empty-handed. We have played quality tune-up matches to set in motion a successful campaign,” said the former Kwara United coach to supersport.com.

  • Sunshine explain choice of Unuanel

    Sunshine explain choice of Unuanel

    Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Sunshine Stars have stated that they have hired Samson Unuanel as their head coach to help them win trophies and earn the change to play continental football after the 2015/16 season.

    Sunshine Stars president Akin Akinbobola, who also doubles as the head of the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), said  he hopes Unuanel can achieve the “set objectives” of the club.

    The set objectives, which Akinbobola referred to are winning or finishing in the top-two of the top-flight as well as Cup success after a failed season in which they missed out on ending in the top-three which could have earned them a CAF Confederation Cup place.

    “We are aware of the expectations and desires of Governor  Segun Mimiko, who has invested so much in football development and also the passion and commitments of the football family in the state.

    “All these guided our choice of picking coach Unuanel as our new head coach. We call on everyone in the football business and industry in the state and beyond to help give the new head coach massive support so that he can achieve the set objectives,” said Akinbobola at the unveiling ceremony on Monday.

    Unuanel is excited by the prospect of returning to top-flight football after a few years absence.

    The former Kwara United trainer believes that though he is saddled with leading from the dugout, he wants “the support of everybody” at the club to succeed.

    “It is a thing of joy to be here today to see myself being unveiled as the head coach of Sunshine Stars, its a challenge that I’m accepting and hoping to succeed. By the special grace of God Almighty, and the support of everybody, we shall succeed,” said Unuanel.

  • Unuanel talks tough

    Kwara United technical adviser, Samson Unuanel has revealed to Supersport.com that visiting Adamawa United would have to pay for their last week loss to Wikki Tourists when the two foes meet today in Ilorin.

    The Afonja Warriors will go head-to-head with Adamawa United in their NNL match day 10 fixture which will be decided at the Kwara State Stadium.

    Kwara United almost got a draw in their last duel with Wikki Tourists, before a controversial goal scored by Badu Lama condemned the Warriors to a defeat.

    Unuanel would, however, want his wards to put the defeat behind them and concentrate on how they would annihilate their foes today.

    “My players are still angry with our last defeat because we didn’t deserve to lose that game, but that’s football. I have told them to shift their focus to our next encounter against Adamawa United which is a must-win for us this weekend,” Unuanel told Supersport.com at the club’s training ground in Ilorin on Thursday.

    The former Enyimba gaffer stressed that Kwara United would definitely return to Nigeria’s top flight football next season. He then urged all the club’s faithful to continue to throw their support behind the team in order for them to achieve the target this term.

    “All of us know the problem that brought us to where we are now, but that has been interred and I’m sure with support from Kwara fans, we would go back to where we belong,” he said to Supersport.com.

    Buttressing his boss’s assertion, left full back, Halilu Obadaki divulged to Supersport.com that the spirit in camp is high and they are ready to teach their visitors a lesson today.

    “I decided to stay in this club because of the love the fans and the coach have for me, and it is a must for us to get a promotion ticket at the end of the season in the National League. We were robbed in our last game in Bauchi, and I think Adamawa United should know that defeat awaits them in Ilorin,” the former youth international said to Supersport.com in Ilorin

    Kwara United have garnered 14 points this term in the National League after nine games played, and the Afonja Warriors currently occupy seventh position on the NNL division A log.

  • Prime Supporters Club rally support for Unuanel

    Prime Supporters Club rally support for Unuanel

    The Chairman of Prime FC Supporters Club Association, Alhaji Jelili Olatunde has praised Kwara United’s Coach, Samson Unuanel for still associating himself with the club five years after he left the Oshogbo side.

    Olatunde said this when he and the rest of Prime FC Supporters paid a visit to the Edo born coach at his Oshogbo residence on Wednesday this week.

    Olatunde and the rest of the members said that Unuanel has always been good to them even after leaving Prime FC for other club engagements in the country.

    He also thanked him for all what he did for the team and also the supporters during his time at the club and also prayed for his success at Kwara United.

    Olatunde prayed for a swift return of both Kwara United and Prime FC to the premier league, adding that both clubs do not belong to the lower league at all.

    Coach Unuanel while reacting to the comments of the Prime FC Supporters Club Association Boss thanked them and the management of the team for their usual support.

    The Kwara United opined that Prime FC remains dear to his heart and won’t hesitate to assist whenever called upon to do so in various capacity besides coming over as head coach.

    He nonetheless praised his present employers Kwara United F.C of Ilorin for their usual supports, most especially the good people and goverment of Kwara State for believing in him, and also the fans and supporters of the club.

    Unuanel said his cardinal objective for the season is to return the Afonja Warriors to the elite division at the end of the National League season.

  • Unuanel slammed over rift with management

    Unuanel slammed over rift with management

    Sports consultant Uche Okpara has called on the generality of Nigerian coaches to be thoroughbred professionals as far as football practice is concerned.

    Okpara, who was reacting to complaints from selected coaches against their club managements, condemned such practice.

    The Auswell kits manufacturer cited the case of Kwara United and defended the club’s management. He called on Samson Unuanel, the estranged coach of the relegated side, to be more professional in the discharge of his duties.

    He said it was not professional for any coach to join issues with his a club’s management on the pages of newspapers or sponsor derogatory remarks against the management and government of the day, holding them responsible for the team’s failure to avoid the drop.

    “Kwara United is a big team by all standards, if the financial packages is to be given consideration. That they were banished to Lokoja as a result of crowd violence is not enough reason for the coach to take exception or be exonerated for not being able to avoid the drop.

    “First and foremost, they were not the only team banished to Lokoja, Kano Pillars as well were banished to the same venue for similar offenses and were able to win the league shield. Akwa United were also moved to Owerri in their rescheduled match against Warri Wolves and still went ahead to win the said match.

    “A good coach who knows his onions should be able to prepare his boys to play anywhere. Sunshine Stars under Gbenga Ogunbote played the previous two seasons in Ijebu – Ode and were able to pick a continental ticket. So, why the cry against the management and worse still the state government for the predicament that befell the team? He should take responsibility and not shift it.

    “The management or government can only be held responsible if money is not released to prosecute matches, pay players and team officials their entitlements and other finance-obligated duties. If the management wasn’t found guilty of these essentials, I want to believe Samson Unuanel lost focus in handling the team and got involved in club intra-party politics”, the kit manufacturer enthused.

  • Unuanel: United poised to remain on top

    Unuanel: United poised to remain on top

    Kwara United coach, Samson Unuanel has said that his players are poised to do their best this season. Unuanel stated that the team will remain on top of the league table and will surely consolidate on their superlative performance by challenging for the league title this season.

    The former Falcons assistant coach said after beating El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri 2-0 that his team is ready to go for the kill in subsequent league matches.

    “All I am praying for is a level playing field where we can exhibit our skills unhindered. If that is obtainable, then football lovers would get the best from Kwara United,” Unuanel told Goal.

    “I have a good team. And all they are thinking of is to remain on top of the league table. We will continue to do our best and make sure we don’t falter in any area until the end of the season.

    Club media officer, Olayioye Ajide reiterated that with the new horizon as packaged by the leadership of NPFL, the premier league would produce the best club as champion at the end of the season.

    “Kwara United are improving by the day and nothing would stop us for now. The newly recruited players have justified themselves particularly Yahaya Adamu who scored his first goal the day he debuted for the team,” Olayioye said.

    Olayioye assured that the management board would not relent in getting the best of comfort for the players and coaches.

    Kwara United are placed in the fourth position on the league table with 18 points from 11 matches.

     

  • Kwara Utd appoint Unuanel

    Kwara Utd appoint Unuanel

    To be unveiled this week

    KWARA United Football Club of Ilorin has appointed Coach Samson David Unuanel as the new Technical Manager of the club for the 2012/13 league season.

    The club’s Media Officer, Olayioye Ajide, informed SportingLife that Coach Unuanel was considered for the plum job by the management board headed by Barrister Bamidele Aluko following recommendation by the technical committee set up to shop for reputable coach.

    Unuanel, a former Enyimba coach will be saddled with the task of taking the team to the top four next season on the Nigerian Premier League, and possibly book a continental ticket.

    About 43 coaches showed interest for the Kwara United coaching job. This includes the immediate past coach, Tunde Sanni, former Bukola Babes (ABS) and 3SC coach, Festus Allen and suspended Niger Tornadoes coach, Justin Tenger, Solomon Ogbeide, Kabiru Dogo, Alphonsus Dike, Lawrence Akpokana, Mohammed Baba Gararu, among several others.

    Olayioye Ajide said Coach Unuanel will be officially presented to the public within the week.

    “He will be unveiled by either Wednesday or Thursday though we are yet to conclude on the date. With the appointment of technical manager which takes immediate effect, recruitment of players and other programmes of the club commence. We now call on all the players to resume immediately,” Olayioye announced.

    Olayioye reiterated the determination of the board to revitalized Kwara United FC in the new season.

    “The club appealed to teeming supporters and lovers of the club to keep faith with the management of Kwara darling team in their effort to clinch continental ticket in the new season,” he noted.