By Gbenga Jolaosho
Abuja
Former Enugu Rangers coach Imama Amapakabo will be earning N750, 000 per month based on his new-contract with Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri.
Amapakabo led Rangers to the NPFL title in 2016 before leaving the Enugu-based club in controversial circumstance last season.
The coach, who was unveiled on Tuesday by El-Kanemi in Maiduguri after signing a two-year contract also has a sign-on fee of N15 million to his credit. But he will reportedly get 50% of his sign-on fee before the start of the new NPFL season.
“This is now a reality and a new challenge for me. I appreciate the management of El-Kanemi for this great honour to work with this great team. I am looking forward to work with the best group in the league and hopefully we will make a big statement next season,” Amapakabo said after his unveiling.
Amapakabo was signed after the sacking of Ladan Bosso who led El-Kanemi to a sixth-place finish in the just-concluded NPFL season.
The coach will be hoping to replicate his success with Enugu Rangers at his new club.
Amapakabo’s two assistants will be Shaibu Suleiman as goalkeeper coach and Ernest Eziwo as assistant coach. The duo worked with him at former Nigerian champions Enugu Rangers.
Prince Anthony Obaseki, an official of the Maiduguri landlords, said the new manager is excited with the opportunity to work with the side and promised to deliver the goods at the appointed time.
“Imama was unveiled today (Tuesday) to the public as new manager of El Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri.
“Early in the day Imama endorsed his contract papers and will be going into a closed meeting with some government top officials later in the day.
“He came with two assistants to work with him, Shaibu Suleiman as goalkeeper coach and Ernest Eziwo as assistant coach.
“Imama says coming to coach El Kanemi Warriors is a personal challenge while he asked the stakeholders to rally round him to achieve the desired goal.
“He said he had many coaching offes, but he chose El Kanemi Warriors for personal reasons and given what he has seen on the ground, the sky will be the limit of what he will achieve with the team in the upcoming league season,” said Obaseki.
The assistants will resume their duties on Sunday while the team training commences on Monday.
