The Super Eagles camp appears to be under a tense atmosphere after a heated verbal exchange between two of its newly appointed assistant coaches, Fidelis Ilechukwu of Rangers International and Daniel Ogunmodede of Remo Stars, following their teams’ NPFL clash on Sunday.
Ilechukwu, Ogunmodede have go at each other
According to a video shared by Leagues Reporter on X, Ilechukwu, visibly furious, went on an explosive rant, expressing his displeasure at his colleague’s conduct during his team’s 2-1 defeat to the South West club.
The Rangers boss accused Ogunmodede, aka ‘Ijaball’, of showing a lack of concern for sportsmanship, having allegedly opposed giving a fair-play advantage to the NPFL champions after one of their players went down.
”I don’t want to keep friends that are desperate,” he said, as quoted in the video’s caption.
Super Eagles assistant coaches went hard on each other yesterday 🔥
🗣Fidelis Ilechukwu: I don't want to keep friends that are desperate
🗣 Daniel Ogunmodede: He is my friend let him enjoy his sadness. This won't stop us from being friends. pic.twitter.com/uUCNr3Cgka
— Leagues Reporter (@LeaguesReporter) September 30, 2024
Meanwhile, in the video, the Remo Stars boss, addressing the situation, said,
”He is my friend let him enjoy his sadness. This won’t stop us from being friends.”
Super Eagles appointment amid tense relationship
This comes after both managers were appointed by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to assist interim coach Augustine Eguavoen, lead the Super Eagles out of troubled waters.
Regarded as the two best coaches in the Nigerian league, Ilechukwu and Ogunmodede, having led their respective teams to first and second finishes in the previous season, were selected to to be a part of Eguavoen’s coaching crew to provide technical support for the 59-year-old gaffer, for improved performances for the team.
While their introduction has culminated in four points from a possible six for the team, this fierce relationship brewing between both coaches, puts the national team’s performance at risk.
With the Super Eagles getting ready for their doubleheader against Libya in October, Nigerians will be hoping Ilechukwu and ‘Ijaball’ put their differences aside as the team looks to get the best outcome from the games.
