Morocco 2025: Ilechukwu, 4 others to assist Eguavoen for Benin, Rwanda; New role is call to serve, opportunity for more hardwork – Ilechukwu

Global Patriot Staff 7 days ago Local, News, Sports Leave a comment 24 Views

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Sept. 2, 2024

Interim Super Eagles manager, Augustine Eguavoen has selected Fidelis Ilechukwu, Enugu Rangers International Football Club’s head coach and Daniel Ogunmodede of Remo Stars to assist him for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

Ademola Olajire, the Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday in a statement, confirmed the choice of the top tacticians to assist Eguavoen for the two matches.

“Ilechukwu led the Flying Antelopes to triumph in Nigeria’s elite division last season, with Ogunmodede’s Remo Stars in second place.

“They will be joined in Uyo by Tomaz Zorec, a fitness trainer from Slovenia, goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa and match analyst, Eboboritse Uwejamomere,” Olajire said.

He said that players and officials of the three-time African champions are already arriving Uyo to begin preparations for Saturday’s clash with the Cheetahs at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, from 5 p.m.

Olajire said that the team would leave for Kigali on Sunday, for Tuesday’s Matchday 2 clash with the Amavubi (Bees) of Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium, starting from 3 p.m Rwanda time (2 p.m. Nigeria time.)

Meanwhile, Ilechukwu, the newly-appointed Super Eagles Assistant Coach, has said that he is ready to serve and work hard for the team’s success.

The coach of the NPFL defending champions on Monday took to his X (formerly twitter) handle to appreciate the NFF for his appointment.

He said he was overwhelmed with humility by outpouring of good wishes, and congratulatory messages he received since the announcement of his appointment.

“A call to serve Nigeria and opportunity for more hard work and we will never take this for granted.

“Thank you for the good wishes and the congratulatory messages. I’m humble,” Ilechukwu wrote.

NAN reports that no fewer than 11 players have arrived the Uyo camp to begin the preparation for the Saturday clash.

Among the early birds who touched down in Uyo at about 10 a.m. Monday morning were William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Olisa Ndah, Taiwo Awoniyi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.

They were later joined by Wilfred Ndidi, Amas Obasogie, Victor Boniface and Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

NAN also reports that Eguavoen and assistant coach Ilechukwu are also already in the camp.

About 12 more players are being expected at the camp on Tuesday, with Victor Osimhen scheduled to arrive on Wednesday.

Those expected include Maduka Okoye, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Calvin Bassey, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman.