Enugu Rangers are set to appoint former Nigeria international and the club’s onetime player Sylvanus Okpala as the new head coach of the Flying Antelopes following the sacking of Benedict Ugwu and his backroom staff on Sunday, though euphemistically termed an indefinite suspension by the club’s management, Completesports.com reports.
Okpala’s appointment as the new technical helmsman could be officially announced in the next 48 hours.
Ugwu and his backroom staff, comprising Famous Ogbe, Godwin Nosike, Fancy Ewulu and Gabriel Ezemo, were handed an indefinite suspension on Sunday after Rangers’ 2-0 home defeat by Akwa Starlets in a Nigeria Professional Football League matchday-five clash.
Two first half goals by Femi Ajayi (18′) and Isaac George (44′) condemned Rangers to their second consecutive home defeat this term, and third in a row. MFM pipped them 1-0 in a matchday-three tie at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. Rivers United also thumped the Flying Antelopes 2-1 in their matchday-four clash Port Harcourt.
The hierarchy of the club could no longer stomach the embarrassing performance which left in its wake a dip in the fortunes of the seven-time league champions. Rangers are now 15th in the NPFL table on four points after five rounds of games in the 2019/2010 season.
“All the technical crew of Rangers have been handed an immediate indefinite suspension,” the club said in a statement on Sunday.
“A new coach would me named in the next 48 hours,” the statement added.
Completesports.com has equally scooped that the name of coach Sylvanus ‘Quick Silver’ Okpala has emerged as the club’s next gaffer.
“Yes, at the moment, his name has come up. But I don’t know if there has been any talks between him and the management,” an official of the club told Completesports.com on condition of anonymity.
“Don’t forget too that the government has to be involved here. But certainly, these thing, including talks with Okpala, or any other coach, could be sorted from this night, tomorrow morning and even tomorrow evening leading to a possible official announcement of a substantive coach in 48 hours.”
Rangers are scheduled to take on Egyptian side, Pyramids, next Sunday in their first Group A match of the CAF Confederation Cup.
