Super Eagles’ assistant coach, Imama Amapakabo has denied a
report in the media that he was asked out of the team’s camp in Uyo by
Franco-German Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr.
The Enugu Rangers FC head coach was part of the team’s first
training session in the Akwa Ibom State capital on Tuesday evening
before leaving for Enugu on Wednesday morning to take charge of the
‘Flying Antelopes’ in a rescheduled NPFL match. But a report stated that he had
been shoved out of the team by former Paris Saint Germain FC defender Rohr.
“There is no truth in the report that I was told to leave
the camp. On Tuesday, the Technical Adviser (Gernot Rohr) arrived camp and
held a first meeting with everyone in camp, in a wonderful atmosphere.
“He preached team spirit and insisted each and every person
in camp is important. After the day’s training, I went to meet him for
permission to travel to Enugu and lead my team against MFM FC in a rescheduled
NPFL match on Wednesday. He saw the need for me to be there and wished me
good luck. The TA (technical adviser) also told me that it was important I
returned to camp immediately after the match.”
Rohr, who had earlier declared his readiness to work with
Nigerian indigenous coaches in order to leave a useful and positive legacy at
the expiration of his contract, corroborated Amapakabo’s statement.
“I never dismissed him. Rather, I was excited that we have a
member of the technical crew doing so well with his club and I have heard many
people say Rangers have a good chance of winning the League, and I know it is a
great club with a great tradition.
“He (Amapakabo) told me it was important for him to go as
three points from there would see his team topping the table, with few matches
left in the season. You can only encourage such a person.”
Team official Dayo Enebi Achor confirmed that former
Nigeria junior international Amapakabo is being expected back at the team’s Le
Meridien Hotel in Uyo on Thursdaymorning.
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