July 26, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s John Obuh, the former head coach of the Golden Eaglets, has been appointed as the Technical Director of the Academy of Italian professional football club AS Roma that is based in Abuja.
In a statement released on Monday in Ilorin, Robinson Adakosa, the club’s country manager, said among those considered for the appointment, Obuh’s experience locally and globally, as well as his technical know-how, was crucial to his appointment.
The statement read: “It was easy for us to pick Obuh among numerous candidates for the job because we believe he possessed the quality to drive the vision of our academy.
“The kids and other staff will have a lot to learn from him because we believe that he has seen it all as far as football is concerned, not only in Nigeria but globally.
“We believe that this new step is a bold statement that AS Roma Academy, Abuja, is here to source for young football talents.”
Obuh switched to managerial football when he called time on an impressive and active career in the domestic game. He distinguished himself playing for a number of clubs that included African giants Enyimba International FC of Aba, Abiola Babes, Julius Berger, Enugu Rangers and Udoji United.
His sterling coaching style has given him the honour of managing a smattering of clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) such as Kwara United FC, Akwa United FC of Uyo, Niger Tornadoes FC, Enugu Rangers, and Sharks FC.
When he took the national Under-17 team, the Golden Eaglets to a runner-up finish at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup which Nigeria hosted, Ogbuh showed what was possible for a domestic coach who knows his onions. But for the loss to Switzerland, the 61-year-old could have finished with the trophy.
In 2013, Obuh again demonstrated his coaching acumen as he led the then Flying Eagles team, comprising Abdullahi Shehu and Olanrewaju Kayode, to a third-place finish at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
