Newly appointed assistant coach of the Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, Lukman Ijaiya, has saluted Kwara United Chairman Kumbi Titiloye for the chance given to him to exhibit his coaching talent.
During his active playing days, Lukman Ijaiya was one of the best legs in the Nigerian League having had stints at Kwara United, 3SC of Ibadan and other notable clubs.
And after hanging his boots, Ijaiya boarded the coaching train and was later looking for opportunity for him to show Nigerians his coaching prowess.
The space however landed at his doors when Kumbi Titiloye was appointed as the Chairman of Kwara United as the Oro born Football Administrator gave Ijaiya the chance to be in the Harmony Boys’ coaching crew.
Smooth Coaching Journey
Kumbi Titiloye had to revive Kwara United’s Feeders’ Team because of Ijaiya and from there, the Offa man moved to the main team during the reign of Abdullahi Biffo.
And towards the end of the 2021/22 season, Biffo had to travel to US due to health issues, and Titiloye gave the mantle of the coaching leadership to Ijaiya in which he was in charge for the last 6 games of the season as United picked a Continental ticket.
Coach Azeez Mohammed was brought in as TA for Kwara United’s Continental campaign, and Ijaiya who was the Chief coach is now cherishing the joy of appearing on the Continent as coach.
“If not for Kumbi Titiloye who had the trust in me, only God know where I would be today because he is the starter of my coaching career.
“He gave me the chance to start from the Feeders’ Team and also promoted me to the main team and I will forever be grateful to him,” Ijaiya explained.
Ijaiya is now looking forward to having another working relationship with Kumbi Titiloye in the future.
Meanwhile, Ijaiya has resumed duty at the Flying Eagles’ camp and he has confirmed his readiness to help Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu succeed.
He also thanked the Elkanemi Warriors’ gaffer for believing in him.
