Daniel Amokachi, Technical Adviser of Lobi Stars of Makurdi, has revealed that but for Emmanuel Amuneke’s late-night intervention, he would have resigned as head coach of the NPFL side, Completesports.com reports.
Amokachi spoke after his team’s 1-0 defeat to Heartland FC at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, in Sunday’s NPFL Matchday 20 fixture.
New signing John Bassey, making his debut for Heartland following a winter loan move from Bayelsa United, scored the decisive goal 13 minutes after the break. The hosts defended resolutely, battling fiercely to maintain their lead until the final whistle.
Also Read: NPFL: Remo Stars Beat Akwa United Away
Amokachi admitted he had been frustrated by developments around the Lobi Stars team, which nearly pushed him to quit. However, a midnight phone conversation with former African Player of the Year Emmanuel Amuneke convinced him to stay.
“There were speculations before Christmas that I was given an ultimatum by Lobi Stars management, but that’s false. I wasn’t issued any ultimatum,” Amokachi clarified.
“After the last game of the first round of the season against Heartland, I almost stepped down as head coach of Lobi Stars. I was upset, not at the team itself, but at certain things happening around us.
“Emmanuel Amuneke heard about it and called me at midnight. We talked for nearly an hour, and his encouragement gave me a new perspective. That’s why I’m still here. He gave me so much positivity about the league and the future, and I’m truly grateful for that,” Amokachi said.
Amokachi and Amuneke were teammates in Nigeria’s triumphant U-23 Dream Team that won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, with Amuneke scoring the decisive goal in the 3-2 victory over Argentina in the final. They were also part of Nigeria’s “golden generation” that won the AFCON 2024 title in Tunisia debuted at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States under Clemens Westerhof.
Also Read: 7 Potential Tough Opponents Super Eagles Might Face In AFCON 2025 Group Stage
Reflecting on Sunday’s defeat, which saw Heartland claim four points from Lobi Stars this season, Amokachi praised his team’s effort despite their challenges.
“First, credit to Heartland for their hard-fought win. The pitch didn’t suit our playing style due to the bumps, which disrupted our build-up play from the back,” he said.
“We fielded four of our eight new signings, and they’re not yet fully fit. Our top scorer, Ossy Martin, also struggled with fitness. Despite these setbacks, my players gave their best, and I commend them for that.
“Heartland deserved their victory, but we’ll continue working hard to improve,” he added.
Amokachi’s Lobi Stars, currently 18th in the NPFL table on 20 points, will face Akwa United in Uyo on Wednesday in a Matchday 21 clash. Meanwhile, Heartland, with 25 points, travel to Aba for an Oriental Derby against Enyimba International.
By Sab Osuji
Got what it Takes?
Predict and Win Millions Now
Got what it Takes?
Predict and Win Millions Now
Daniel Amokachi, voormalig Nigeriaans voetballer en huidige coach van Lobi Stars, heeft onthuld dat zijn collega Emmanuel Amuneke hem heeft overtuigd om niet te stoppen met zijn baan bij de Nigeriaanse Premier League club.
Amokachi, die eerder speelde voor clubs als Club Brugge, Everton en Besiktas, nam in 2019 de rol van hoofdcoach op zich bij Lobi Stars. Echter, na een moeilijke periode met wisselende resultaten, overwoog hij om zijn positie op te geven.
Het was op dat moment dat Amuneke, voormalig teamgenoot van Amokachi bij de Nigeriaanse nationale ploeg en momenteel coach van de Tanzaniaanse nationale ploeg, hem benaderde en hem aanmoedigde om door te zetten.
“Emmanuel belde me op en zei: ‘Daniel, je moet niet opgeven. Je moet doorgaan en blijven vechten voor wat je gelooft'”, onthulde Amokachi in een recent interview. “Zijn woorden gaven me de motivatie en het vertrouwen om door te gaan met mijn werk bij Lobi Stars.”
Amokachi heeft sindsdien een verbetering gezien in de prestaties van zijn team en is vastbesloten om door te gaan met het ontwikkelen van jong talent en het behalen van succes in de Nigeriaanse Premier League.
De steun van Amuneke heeft niet alleen geholpen om Amokachi te motiveren, maar benadrukt ook de sterke band tussen voetbalcollega’s en de waarde van mentorship in de sportwereld. Het is duidelijk dat de steun en aanmoediging van anderen een cruciale rol kunnen spelen bij het overwinnen van moeilijke tijden en het bereiken van succes.
Met de voortdurende steun van zijn collega’s en zijn vastberadenheid om te slagen, lijkt het erop dat Daniel Amokachi op de goede weg is om zijn doelen te bereiken en Lobi Stars naar grotere hoogten te leiden in de Nigeriaanse Premier League.
