Udala FC new coach Folabi Ojekunle says he learned great coaching tips from former Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur manager, Harry Redknapp, and is now eager to bring the experience to bear in at the Nationwide League One [NLO] side, Complesports.com reports.
Ojekunle signed a one year contract with the club and was presented to the media and supporters of the club in Awka, Anambra State.
Ojekunle who has had coaching spells with Jegede Babes, Babanawa FC and ABS Ilorin, holds an UEFA B coaching License.
“I worked with Luton Town and Aquinas FC in Belfast, Northern Ireland,” Ojekunle told Completesports.com.
“From there, I moved to Tottenham Hotspur where I worked under the famous Harry Redknapp as Scouting Coach.
“I must say I learnt a lot from him. You don’t work under great coaches without learning a lot, and I must say I’m here to bring to bear at Udala FC what I learned under Redknapp.”
Before penning a deal with Udala FC, coach Ojekunle surprisingly turned down offer from banking giants, First Bank FC, Lagos.
“I found out Udala FC is an ambitious club. Their ambition matches mine, so I to turn down First Bank FC offer, preferring to work here.
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“I’m amazed with the pool of talents I saw here on arrival and I’m convinced they are such that will easily adapt to my coaching philosophy.
“I’m an attack-minded coach as you would recall about Harry Redknapp.
“So far, we’ve not failed to score in any match since I arrived here at Udala FC, whether at home or away games.”
Ojekunle added: “Like I said earlier, I’m an ambitious coach, driven by desire for success and to win trophies.
“For now, my immediate desire is to help the club win the AIFL (Anambra Independent Football League) title for the third consecutive time.
“Ultimately, I want to help the club get the Nigeria National League [NNL] ticket by finishing in the top spot of the NLO and of course, excel in the 2020 Aiteo Cup.”
Chinonye Henry, General Manager of Udala FC, says they are also into football for the business aspect of it.
“We are also into the business side of the game which involves marketing players abroad,” he said, revealing that one of their products, Lucky Chinonso, currently plays in Turkey.
There are six NLO clubs in Anambra which presents tough competition for promotion amongst the teams, but Henry is confident that Udala FC are ready to compete.
“We are ready for the challenges. We have our plans well cut out,” he said.
“We will work hard to achieve our target no matter who our opponents are.”
Vemard Africa FC, FC Ifeanyi Ubah Feeders, Goddosky FC, Aspire FC and Nnewi United are the other clubs from Anambra who will take part in this year’s Nationwide League One [NLO].
Coach Folabi Ojekunle (l) with club GM Henry Chinonye
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