Gifted Markson
Tensions flared between two Super Eagles assistant coaches, Fidelis Ilechukwu and Daniel Ogunmodede, after a heated match on Sunday, where Remo Stars defeated Enugu Rangers 2-1 in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture.
Despite being long-time friends, the intense competition on the field led to a dramatic exchange between the two coaches.
Rangers coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, expressed his disappointment over what he described as an overly aggressive approach by Remo Stars, accusing Ogunmodede’s side of abandoning fair play in their quest for victory.
“I don’t want to keep friends that are desperate. You don’t have to be so desperate to win; it’s no longer football. We gave the fair play, and you told your player not to throw it because you wanted to win,” Ilechukwu remarked after the match.
“In football, we value humanity and life. To me, it’s a big disappointment. I don’t want to have a friend who wants to win by all means.”
However, Daniel Ogunmodede, the victorious Remo Stars coach, took a different stance. He acknowledged the emotions running high but emphasized that their friendship remained intact, despite the competitive nature of the game.
“Fidelis is my friend, don’t forget that. He’s a workaholic; he puts a lot of energy into the game. He came, and he lost. Do you want him to be happy? I don’t expect him to be happy. If he is, then he’s not my friend anymore,” Ogunmodede responded, adding that it’s normal for coaches to feel upset after losing.
Referencing a previous encounter where his side lost to Rangers in Enugu, Ogunmodede recalled, “I was so sad in Enugu the last time. We couldn’t even see till I left. This time, he’s sad, and it’s normal. Let him enjoy his sadness, and then we’ll come back as friends. Nothing takes away our friendship.”
The clash between the two Super Eagles assistants highlighted the emotional toll of professional football, where fierce competition can sometimes blur the lines between friendship and rivalry.
Despite the post-match drama, both coaches are expected to patch things up off the pitch as they continue their respective campaigns in the NPFL.