New assistant coach in the Super Eagles’ technical crew, Daniel Ogunmodede has stated delight with the warm reception and cordial atmosphere he is experiencing in his first national team assignment.
Sports247.ng can report that Ogunmodede, who is also the head coach of Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) runners-up, Remo Stars FC of Ikenne, also expressed gratitude for the club’s role in how he got his latest appointment.
While acknowledging that he wants to contribute all he can towards ensuring the Eagles defeat Benin Republic this Saturday in Uyo and Rwanda on Tuesday in Kigali, Daniel Ogunmodede admitted that he never expected his appointment by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
He stated during his first interview from the Eagles’ camp, “In all sincerity, I am kind of surprised. I was short of words when I got the letter.
“However, I was down to no choice. So, I quickly rushed up and got prepared. I had to get myself available as at when due, based on the content in the letter; and I am truly happy to be here.”
Ogunmodede went on to analyse all factors that apparently led to the NFF’s decision in naming him among those to assist Eagles’ interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, in the task of qualifying Nigeria for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
“I believe my consistency over the period of years was noticed, and kudos to my club, because they gave me the platform to build my pattern in the league,” he retorted.
“I’ve been working with Remo Stars for a couple of years, and, along the line, it was noticed by the federation. That’s one of the factors.
“Maybe they also believe the coach, Augustine Eguavoen, is one of my colleagues; though I had never spoken to him before.
“I am sure that it’s mostly due to what I have been doing in the league with Remo Stars.”
The exuberant coach, who has led Remo Stars to two straight runners-up achievements in the NPFL and three times into continental competitions, went on to rebuff insinuations that he is too young to be in the national team’s technical crew, as he aims to make the best of his new assignment.