Fidelis Ilechukwu of Rangers International and Daniel Ogunmodede of Remo Stars FC, both young and promising coaches, currently serve as assistants to Augustine Eguavoen, head coach of the Super Eagles.
However, their relationship has hit a rough patch following Remo Stars’ victory over Rangers in their NPFL Match Day 4 clash this past weekend.
Read Also: Nigeria @64: Nigeria’s Top 4 Historic Sporting Moments To Remember
In a post-match interview, a visibly upset Coach Ilechukwu expressed his disappointment with Ogunmodede: “Remo Stars is a good team, one of the best in the Nigeria Premier Football League at the moment. But I’m disappointed with Ijaball (Daniel Ogunmodede). In football, we have to value humanity,” he stated.
He continued, “You don’t have to be desperate to win. We played the ball out for a player to get treatment, and he told his players to keep playing instead of passing the ball back to us.
Yes, they want to win the league, but we didn’t win the league this way. We have to value humanity first. The league is a marathon; if you don’t win here, you can win elsewhere.
I don’t want to have a friend who wants to win by all means. He’s a big disappointment. I’m not under pressure. We can still win the league. It is very much open, but I’m talking about fair play. We have to value life; they scored from what should have been a fair play to us.”
Coach Ogunmodede, in a calm and measured response, said, “What do you expect from someone who just lost a big game? If he’s happy, then he’s no longer my friend because you have to question his commitment to his job.
You expect him to laugh home after a lot of investment and energy. He’s a workaholic and he put a lot of energy into the game. Just like I was sad when we lost in Enugu.
If he’s happy, then he’s no longer my friend because you have to question his commitment towards his job. I was extremely sad when we lost in Enugu, in fact, we did not see until I left.
But this time, he’s sad, so let him enjoy the sadness. However, it takes nothing away from our friendship,” He ended confidently.
Why Super Eagles Head Coach Austin Eguavoen Must Intervene
The clash between Ilechukwu and Ogunmodede could have significant implications for their roles within the Super Eagles setup.
On one hand, the drama draws attention to the NPFL, potentially increasing engagement with the league. Fans are captivated by the passion and rivalry between the coaches.
On the other hand, the negative side is that both Ogunmodede and Ilechukwu are expected to collaborate closely in the upcoming Super Eagles camp.
Given his experience, Austin Eguavoen must step in and mediate the situation. Ensuring that both coaches reconcile and resolve any lingering tensions is crucial.
The Super Eagles cannot afford any division within their camp as they prepare for critical qualifiers. Effective teamwork and a unified front are essential for their success. Eguavoen’s intervention will be key in maintaining harmony and focus within the team.
