Former Super Eagles assistant coach, Imama Amapakabo has been unveiled as the new Head Coach of Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia.
Coach Imama as he is fondly called by admirers, makes his second missionary journey to the Pride of Umuahia, two years after he left.
The new gaffer was unveiled by the Chairman of the club, Coach John Obuh at Abia Warriors Secretariat in Umuahia.
The 54-year-old Bayelsa State born tactician takes over from Coach Bethel Oji who was the Head Coach on interim basis, even as the latter resumes his position as Assistant Coach.
Coach Imama comes with lots of experience, having won the Nigeria Premier Football League with Rangers International Football Club of Enugu in 2016.
He was at the helm of affairs at Abia Warriors between 24th July 2020 and 1st August 2022 and most recently coached Rwandan side, Etoile de l’Est.
During his media parley after his presentation, the gaffer called for patience and support from fans especially during difficult times, as the club will be rebuilding.
“It is a new dawn. most importantly I appreciate the team last season for what they achieved. But you see, football is very, very funny. In the next two years ask which team played the finals of the President Federation Cup in 2024, people will only remember the team that won. In Nigeria here, it’s funny how every team wants to come and win. Everybody believes they have an equal chance”, he said.
He continued,” To the fans I will say, be faithful to the team, support the team. There will be difficult times because in every season, there’s a sag period to the surge period. At the sag period, the team needs their supporters. It’s not just at the surge period that people will come and celebrate, there will be difficult times, there will be tough times, especially now that we’re going to be rebuilding, it will take some of the players time to fit into my philosophy. And within that period, walls might crack, and when the walls crack let’s keep faith.”
In his remarks Abia Warriors Sporting Director, Mr. Emeka Ifejiagwa who spoke on behalf of the Club Chairman, opined that the club will be patient with the gaffer but at the same time demand a lot from him.