The Working One, Fidelis Ilechukwu Leads Enugu Rangers to NPFL Glory

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu 
Photo By: Adeniyi Muyiwa

The Working One, Fidelis Ilechukwu, has made history by leading Enugu Rangers to their 8th Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) title. This achievement comes after 276 games since his NPFL coaching debut.

Ilechukwu's journey to the top has been marked by close calls, finishing second twice with MFM FC and Plateau United in 2017 and 2022, respectively. 

However, his Enugu Rangers team has now emerged victorious, defeating Bendel Insurance 2-0 at home to secure the title with a game still left to play.

In a display of humility, Ilechukwu had earlier downplayed his team's chances, stating that winning the league was not their primary target this season. He believed that teams like Enyimba and Remo Stars had an advantage, and his team was still in a building process. However, his "building process" has yielded faster results than expected, culminating in a well-deserved NPFL title.

As the season draws to a close, Enugu Rangers can hold their heads high, basking in the glory of their achievements under the expert guidance of "The Working One", Fidelis Ilechukwu.

NFF Executive Committee Meets, Resolves to Appoint Expatriate Technical Adviser for Super Eagles

 

In the wake of the Super Eagles' subpar display in the recent FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the NFF Executive Committee gathered on Wednesday for an emergency meeting to address the team's woes.

The committee resolved to appoint an expatriate Technical Adviser to support the team ahead of the upcoming AFCON qualifiers and remaining World Cup qualifying matches. Sources revealed that Portuguese coach Antonio Conceicao is the top contender for the role.

This decision comes on the heels of the Super Eagles' disappointing results, which saw them draw 1-1 against South Africa and lose 2-1 to Benin Republic, leaving them fifth on the table.

Despite the challenges posed by a 38-hour nationwide industrial action, which impacted the team's preparations for the Day 3 and Day 4 games, the NFF expressed disappointment with the poor attitude of some players towards the national assignment. 

In response, the board unanimously agreed to implement a more robust scouting program to identify outstanding Nigeria-eligible players from around the world, who can bring significant value to the team.

The foreign coach will work in tandem with Findi George, who has been under fire, to bring a fresh approach to the team's strategy and attitude, ahead of the crucial AFCON qualifiers and remaining World Cup qualifiers.

NLC Strike Hampers Super Eagles' World Cup Preparations

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) strike has thrown a spanner in the works of the Super Eagles' preparations for their FIFA World Cup qualifying match against South Africa on June 7. 

While 15 players reported for duty at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo on Monday morning, eight others are stranded due to the strike, which has grounded domestic flights.

The training session, led by head coach Finidi George, focused on fitness, shooting drills, and tactical sessions. However, the absence of key players like Maduka Okoye, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Calvin Bassey, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman and Paul Onuachu. has raised concerns about the team's readiness for the crucial match.

With South Africa's team facing similar travel challenges, there are fears that the match may be forfeited, potentially resulting in Nigeria being walked over.

Super Eagles Head Coach, Finidi George 

The Super Eagles' coaching staff has scheduled a recovery session for Monday evening, hoping for a swift resolution to the strike, which would enable the stranded players to join the team and avoid jeopardizing the match, as the strike's impact intensifies.