Nigerian Football
What goes round comes round: Labbadia adds to growing list of run-away coaches
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, ALMERE, THE NETHERLANDS
Nigeria football is fast becoming a theatre of comedy as the country comes to global limelight only for the wrong reasons. The atmosphere is so fouled that no high ranking or self respecting coach will dream of handling the Nigerian national football team.
In other climes, the likes of Bruno Labbadia would have been sued for making a huge country a global laughing stock. But that is if the one-sided tale the is open to the public is anything to go by.
No employee will expect that employer will be expected to offset double taxation – both to his native land and also to the country employing him.
What has the case been with the others before Labbadia? Taxation is obviously not a new concept in employee-employer relationship.
Sad still, this is coming close to the beginning of qualifying series of a competition as the country has fared badly in another one, the World Cup qualifiers. The timing of the announcement of the employment and that of the withdrawal is also a source of concern.
Both happened when Nigerians and stakeholders were possibly asleep. This has happened. It may still happen again since what goes round comes round.
Labbadia has predecessors. Here they are:
- Jesse Carver, England (1960)
Jesse Carver, England
He was initially announced to handle the Nigerian team in 1960. But at a council meeting of the NFA on Sunday 24 July 1960, it was decided that the earlier terms that the coach had given were no longer acceptable and hence, the offer was withdrawn. When Carver was interviewed in London he agreed to come on a 12-month contract. He later wrote the NFA that he would not be available for more than two months.
He also demanded for return tickets for two people. Carver no doubt had impressive credentials having coached top Italian clubs like SS Lazio, Roma, Torino and Juventus apart from his handling of English side, West Bromwich Albion for eight months in 1952.
Following Jesse Carver’s failure to accept Nigeria’s offer, Hungarian George Varda became an alternative. Carver died on 29 November 2003.
- Othman Calder, Germany, 1974
Othman Calder
Othman Calder handled German sides, FC Cologne and FC Kaiserslautern II, among others before coming to Nigeria on 20 December 1974. But the German coach left mysteriously barely eight days after screening 37 players he met in camp. Among the players was Segun Odegbami who had his first call-up.
But according to the German, more than a third of the players he met in camp had past their peak and must be systematically replaced.
But that was not the reason for his sudden disappearance. The National Sports Commission (NSC) which employed him, rejected the ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ terms proposed by the coach.
The terms include a free of charge posh car which should be either a new Citreon DS or Mercedes 200 and specifically, a certain Mr. Ephraim Nwaoha as the driver.
Other terms were: tax free monthly salary of 6,000 Dutch Mark part of which must be paid upfront; free freighting of all personal household effects to Nigeria and return of such to Germany at the end of his tour of duty.
A rent free furnished flat or house at Ikoyi or Victoria Island and the accommodation must be acceptable to all members of his family.
In addition, in the interim period of securing the accommodation, his family should be housed free in a senior suite at the Federal Palace Hotel.
- Carlos Alberto Torres, Brazilian (1995)
Carlos Alberto Torres
He was the former captain of the 1970 Brazil World Cup winning squad is the Brazilian coach Nigeria never had.
He was engaged in May 1995 just as the Super Eagles were heading to the US for the Gold Cup. He asked to just be allowed to observe the team and then take over after the US Gold Cup.
So, Amodu Shaibu continued as he had been employed barely a year earlier. Torres was with the team throughout the US Gold Cup competition but failed to return to Nigeria to sign his contract. He died on 25 October 2016.
- Philippe Troussier, France (2005)
Philippe Troussier
Popularly called the “White Witchdoctor”, Troussier became the first Frenchman to ever handle the Nigerian national team as well as the first coach to have handled a team against Nigeria in World Cup qualification and came in the next edition to guide the Super Eagles.
Troussier handled Cote d’Ivoire in their failed attempt to upstage Nigeria in the 1994 World Cup qualifying series.
But midway into the 1998 edition he was engaged to take over from Amodu Shaibu. His contract with Nigeria was however not renewed after securing the France ’98 World Cup ticket.
He was to be engaged again in 2005. The the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) announced his engagement. But in apparent retaliation on how he was sacked in 1997, he turned down the offer just days to the signing of contract.
- Paul Le Guen, Frenchman (2016)
Paul Le Guen
The Frenchman was gleefully announced as the Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser on 18 July 2016. He was to be assisted by Salisu Yusuf. Le Guen had steered the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.
He played for Brest, Nantes and Paris Saint Germain and won 17 caps for France, before coaching Rennes, Lyon, PSG (in France) and Glasgow Rangers (in Scotland). He also coached Oman.
He never showed up and German, Gernot Rohr was employed instead on 5 August 2016. Le Guen was quoted as saying that the security concerns in the Nigeria was the reason he turned down the job as he was not prepared to live in Nigeria.
The historic feat of Remo Stars, who won their maiden Nigerian Premier League title on the birthday occasion of the club owner, has attracted the attention of Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement posted on the State House X handle and signed by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Tinubu congratulated Remo Stars Football Club.
He remarked that winning the 2024-2025 Nigerian Premier Football League title is a milestone achievement that spotlights Ikenne and Ogun State.
President Tinubu describes the historic victory, four years after the team’s promotion to the elite league, as a testament to the hard work, discipline, and unyielding spirit of the players, the coaching crew and the management.
He admires the team’s resilience and perseverance, noting their courage in pursuing success despite three previous near misses in the race for the league title.
He hopes their example will inspire other Nigerian clubs to pursue their dreams continuously with tenacity and optimism.
He also commends the vision and commitment of the club’s owner and chairman, Kunle Soname.
His investment in grassroots football—exemplified by the construction of the state-of-the-art stadium in Ikenne—has provided a vital foundation for the growth of sports in Nigeria.
As Nigeria’s champions, Remo Stars have become Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Champions League. President Tinubu urges the team to deploy the same undaunted spirit and focus to win continental honours.
He calls on football fans across Nigeria to rally behind the team as they carry the nation’s hopes onto the African stage.
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The Confederation of African Football, CAF has highlighted on its website, the feat of Remo Stars of Ikenne who on Sunday secured their maiden Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title.
Remo Stars edged Niger Tornadoes 1-0 at the Remo Stars Stadium to write a new chapter in their history.
A late goal from Olamilekan Muhammed Adebayo in the 84th minute proved decisive, sparking celebrations as the Sky-Blue Stars finally got their hands on the prestigious trophy.
The crucial victory moved Remo Stars to 68 points after 35 matches, having recorded 21 wins, five draws, and nine losses.
They hold a commanding 10-point lead over second-placed Rivers United, who sit on 58 points from 16 wins, 10 draws, and nine defeats.
Abia Warriors occupy third place with 56 points, while Ikorodu City are fourth on 53 points as the league campaign approaches its final stages.
A Journey Years in the Making
Founded in 2004 by Kunle Soname under the name FC Dender, Remo Stars have steadily climbed the ranks of Nigerian football over the past two decades.
Their ascent saw them earn promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL) in 2010. However, progress was not always linear.
The club faced relegation from the top flight in 2018 but showed resilience by bouncing back in 2021, securing a place in the NPFL after finishing second in the NNL playoff Group A.
This title triumph marks a historic achievement not just for the club but also for the Southwest region.
Remo Stars are the first club from the region to win the Nigerian top-flight title since Shooting Stars lifted the trophy in 1998.
Looking Ahead
With the NPFL title secured, Remo Stars now turn their attention to preparations for continental football, as they are set to represent Nigeria in next season’s CAF Champions League.
It is a moment of immense pride for the club’s management, players, and supporters, who have waited patiently for their rise to the summit of Nigerian football.
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Nigerian Football
Spirit of sportsmanship as reigning champions, Enugu Rangers, congratulate new champions, Remo Stars
BY OKOLIE NORBERT
Reigning champions, Enugu Rangers, who beat Remo Stars to the second position last season, have congratulated the new champions, Remo Stars of Ikenne.
The management of Rangers sent a warm message of congratulations to Remo Stars Football Club for their remarkable victory in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
In a letter addressed to the chairman of Remo Stars, Kunle Soname, the General Manager/CEO of the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Amobi Ezeaku lauded the tenacity and dedication displayed by the Ikenne-based team throughout the campaign to amass an unassailable points tally with three games to the end of the season.
Ezeaku further urged Remo Stars to represent the NPFL admirably in the upcoming CAF Champions League.
The congratulatory message, titled “Heartfelt congratulations on your historic NPFL triumph,” conveyed the sincere admiration of the Enugu club.
“I write on behalf of Rangers International Football Club, and in my capacity, to extend our warmest congratulations to you and the entire Remo Stars family on your historic victory in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League season,” Ezeaku stated in the letter.
He further acknowledged the significant journey undertaken by Remo Stars under Soname’s leadership, saying, “Your remarkable leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment over the years have transformed Remo Stars into a force in Nigerian football.
“Winning the league title, after fifteen years of building and striving, is a truly extraordinary achievement — a testament to your passion, resilience, and belief in the Remo Stars project.”
Drawing from Rangers’ own recent experience as league champions, Ezeaku highlighted the immense effort required to reach the pinnacle of Nigerian football.
“As the immediate past champions, we deeply appreciate the magnitude of what it takes to reach the summit. Your success is not only an inspiration to Remo Stars but to all who believe in hard work, strategic investment, and patience in football development,” he noted.
Concluding the message, the Rangers boss expressed optimism for Remo Stars’ future endeavours.
“We celebrate this well-deserved milestone with you and look forward to watching Remo Stars shine brightly on the continental stage. Nigerian football is richer and stronger because of visionary leaders like you. Once again, congratulations, Mr. President. May this be the first of many more successes.”
This gesture from Rangers underscores the spirit of sportsmanship and mutual respect within the NPFL fraternity as Remo Stars celebrate their well-earned league title.
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President Tinubu commends Soname’s tenacity of purpose
CAF celebrates Remo Stars’ historic Nigeria Premier League title
Spirit of sportsmanship as reigning champions, Enugu Rangers, congratulate new champions, Remo Stars
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