Coach of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Heartland coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, has admitted that it is a tough task coaching in the country’s topflight league.
Ilechukwu kicked off his career in the dugout with Lagos-based club, MFM FC, in 2017 and led the club to a historic CAF Champions League debut in 2018.
Now with Heartland, his second club in the Nigeria Professional Football League, Ilechukwu is already familiar with the tough terrain and conditions that accompany coaching in the elite division.
“You must be strong to manage a club in the NPFL. You must be strong in character and fight for what you believe in. You know, people wanting their players in the team and pressure from management to perform. So, it’s difficult. But if you are lucky to have a management that is flexible and key into your vision, then, it’s great for a coach.” Ilechukwu told reporters
He urged the football authorities to implement policies that would allow young players flourish in the NPFL.
“There are lots of advantages; we need to give the youths a chance. I have a problem with administrators who are not consistent with their policies.
“It is important to give players confidence and chance to express themselves. In MFM, I had a free-hand to do it as long as I was sure of their potential.
“Dr. Daniel Olukoya gave me the platform and I’m grateful. I’m still a member of the church, it doesn’t change anything.”
In another news, Coach of Nigeria Professional Football League side Nasarawa united Bala Nkiyu has stated that the league clubs in Nigeria will continue to wait until they get a formal directive from the Nigeria Football Federation intimating them to return just same way the NFF ordered the stoppage of the league in line with Government’s directive.
Nkiyi speaking in a chat with www.brila.net said the current Covid-19 situation has taken it toll on a league that should ordinarily be coming to an end by the end of the month of May but stressed that he hopes the situation comes to an end so that the league can also continue in earnest.
“If NFF is waiting for Government, then definitely clubs must wait for NFF, so it’s a very clear thing. The NFF is in charge of football in Nigeria and again all clubs must wait for the response from the NFF.
If not because of the situation that is happening in the whole world, by now the league would have been ending by the end of this month. But based on what is on ground now, everyone is praying for the whole thing should die down.”
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