Big Football Feature: 5 NPFL Coaches In Danger Of Losing Their Jobs

Almost midway into the current Nigeria Professional Football League campaign, some head coaches have already lost their jobs. Here are five more that are under pressure and face the chopping blocks…

IMAMA AMAPAKABO – RANGERS

After guiding Enugu Rangers to their first league title in 32 years, coach Imama Amapakabo is on the verge of losing his job after two years of joining the club.

Amapakabo’s side thrilled fans of the Nigerian Professional Football League fans last season scoring 53 goals in 36 games but with just 15 games into the season, they have scored just eight goals – a far cry from the 29 goals scored as at this stage last season. Though with three games in hand (two home games against Wikki Tourists and Kano Pillars, and an away clash to Sunshine Stars), fans could be hopeful of at least victories in two of the three games.

Rangers lost their best player and top scorer Chisom Egbuchulam who left for BK Hacken on a season-long loan and this has affected the Flyung Antelopes, at least in attack. Imama could well need a winning streak of four games against (Remo Stars, Enyimba, Plateau United FC and Gombe United FC) to prevent the rug from being pulled from under his feet before the mid-season break.

MOHAMMED BABA GANARU- WIKKI TOURISTS

After joining Wikki Tourists from Kano Pillars at the start of the season, Baba Ganaru retained 90% of the players who helped clinch the CAF Confederation Cup ticket last season. However, they failed to get past RSLAF from Sierra Leone in the preliminary round of the competition and in the league they have only recorded four wins, three defeats and seven draws.

Interestingly, Wikki Tourists have conceded more goals than they have scored. One win in their last five NPFL games has seen the management of Wikki Tourist hand Ganaru a three-match ultimatum in a bid to turn around the fortunes of the club.

Ganaru was a popular choice to succeed Abu Maikaba months ago and wins over Enyimba, Plateau United, Gombe United and Abia Warriors will make his position far safer.

YAW PREKO – FC IFEANYIUBAH

FC Ifeanyi Ubah’s owner Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah does not hesitate tp pull the trigger on his managers. Ask Kenichi Yatsuhashi, Rafael Everton, and Mitko Dobrev, all of whom were sacked since the oil magnate took over the club Gabros International and rebranded it FC IfeanyiUbah.

Despite a highly talented side, current head coach Yaw Preko has been masterminding an indifferent form with just five wins in 15 games. So the Ghanaian could well need more wins in the NPFL league to prevent being fired. Despite the high-profile signings made during the transfer window, FC IfeanyiUbah are placed 13th in the NPFL table.

KAYODE OLUJOHUNGBE – SUNSHINE STARS

After recording four wins from 14 matches the management of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure has given the club’s coaching crew, led by Kayode Olujohungbe, a two-match ultimatum to turn the fortunes of the team around.

The club’s management expects the team to take the maximum points from their next two matches against Katsina United and FC Ifeanyi Ubah or Olujohungbe will be sacked. Sunshine Stars will now face Katsina United on Wednesday in their Match Day 15 encounter of the NPFL. The team currently has 15 points and is 18th in the league table.

STANLEY EGUMA – RIVERS UNITED

After guiding Rivers United to a second place finish which automatically clinched a CAF Champions League ticket, Stanley Eguma’s side didn’t only drop down to the CAF Confederations Cup competition, they are now languishing in the 19th position in the league, though they have three outstanding games to bank on to move out of the relegation zone.

Eguma’s Rivers United have amassed three wins five draws and four defeats.

Anxiety is now among pundits on who among these five will be shown the exit door soon.