Super Eagles assistant coaches, Fidelis Ilechukwu and Daniel Ogunmodede, engaged in a media dispute following the conclusion of a high-stakes NPFL match involving their respective teams.
Both coaches, regarded as two of the brightest young talents in Nigerian football, led their clubs to first and second-place finishes last season with Rangers and Remo Stars respectively, earning them assistant roles with the national team.
Despite their strong professional relationship, tensions flared when their teams faced off in the league on Sunday.
Ogunmodede’s Remo Stars won the game 2-1, handing the defending champions their first league defeat of the season.
After the game, Rangers Head Coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, expressed his dissatisfaction with the conduct of Remo Stars Head Coach, Daniel Ogunmodede.
Ilechukwu accused Ogunmodede of unsportsmanlike behavior, claiming his team was denied fair play just before Remo Stars scored their second goal.
“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 human.” Ilechukwu said.
“You have don’t have to be desperate to win. We played the ball our for a player to get treatment and he told his players to call on playing, instead of passing the ball to us.”
“Yes they want to win the league, but we didn’t win the league this way. We have to 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 to friend who want win by all means. He’s a big disappointment.”
Asked if he’s under pressure to retain the title he won last season, Ilechukwu said:
“I’m not under pressure. We can’t still win the league. It is very much open, but I’m talking about the fair play. We have to life, they scored from what should have been a fair play to us“
In response, Ogunmodede dismissed Ilechukwu’s comments, stating that he was unfazed by the criticism, saying he’s not worried about the outburst.
“What do you expect from someone who just lost a big game “, He asked the reporters.
“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 was sad when we lost in Enugu. If he’s happy, then he’s 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 nothing to takes away our friendship.
The two coaches will reunite as part of Nigeria’s coaching staff when the Super Eagles face Libya in a crucial African Cup of Nations doubleheader qualifier.
