‘I don’t want desperate friends’ – Super Eagles Assistant coaches Ilechukwu and Ogunmodede in hot exchange after NPFL clash

Enugu Rangers head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has publicly criticized his fellow Super Eagles assistant coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, following a 2-1 defeat to Remo Stars in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match on Sunday. Ilechukwu, clearly upset by the manner of the loss, accused Ogunmodede, who also manages Remo Stars, of disregarding fair play in pursuit of victory.

Ilechukwu expressed his disappointment in no uncertain terms after the match, saying, “It’s a big disappointment, a very big disappointment in ‘Ijaball’ (Ogunmodede). There was no fair play, even when a player’s life was at risk.”

His remarks point to an incident during the game where Ilechukwu felt the safety of one of his players was compromised, and yet the match continued without due consideration for the situation. The experienced coach went on to condemn what he perceives as a ‘win at all costs’ mentality by Ogunmodede.
“You don’t win by all means. This was not how Rangers were crowned champions,” he added, drawing a comparison between his team’s triumph last season and the manner in which Remo Stars secured their victory.

Despite the loss, Ilechukwu maintained a positive outlook on Rangers’ overall performance, acknowledging the progress they have made since their exit from continental competition. “It was a good game. I think we have started coming up. I am happy with the outcome of the game. I love the way my players approached the game today despite the result.”

He also reassured Rangers fans that the team is addressing its weaknesses and remains hopeful for the rest of the season.
“The two matches we played after exiting the continental competition have shown that there is hope for our aspirations this season. The weak link we have noticed will be worked upon, and hopefully, we shall bounce back on a positive note,” Ilechukwu stated.

Rangers, currently 12th on the NPFL standings with four points from three matches, will look to rebound when they face Bayelsa United on Thursday, October 3, 2024, in a rescheduled match day 3 fixture at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

Meanwhile, Remo Stars, under Ogunmodede’s leadership, remain top of the table with a perfect 12 points from four games. Despite the success on the field, the fallout between Ilechukwu and Ogunmodede casts a shadow over the relationship between the two Super Eagles assistant coaches, who are tasked with working together at the national level.

The rift between the two has now put their future collaborations in doubt, with Ilechukwu openly expressing his reluctance to maintain a friendly relationship with Ogunmodede.