Crocodiles name their man
Hassan Abubakar has been confirmed as the new coach of Nigeria Professional Football League club, Kaduna United.
Ben Duamlong was sacked as Kaduna United coach after the club’s 1-2 home loss to Sharks on match day eight of the Nigeria Professional League (NPFL) on April 23.
Members of Duamlong’s backroom staff were also asked to leave.
Abubakar has now been thrown into the deep end and his first task will be to lift the club away from the relegation zone.
The trainer is looking forward to the challenge.
“First, I want to thank the management of the club for finding me worthy of this job. I want to state through this medium that I will not let the club or its fans down,” Abubakar told supersport.com.
Abubakar has since met with the players and has expressed satisfaction with the personnel at his disposal.
“I have no issues with the quality of players I have to work with. I met them yesterday (Saturday) and I know some of them because I have worked with them in the past.
“The club is not in a comfortable position now. We must fight and see that we lift ourselves from this situation.
“There are still 30 matches still to play and I am sure Kaduna United will not be relegated,” he said.
Abubakar was assistant to Stanley Eguma at three-time NPFL champions, Dolphins last season.
The experienced gaffer has also previously managed Niger Tornadoes, Zamfara United, Wikki Tourists, Juth and Sunshine Stars.
He was also a member of the coaching team of the Nigerian Under-17 team that reached the final of the World Cup in 2001 in Trinidad and Tobago.
Abubakar makes a second return to Kaduna United having previously coached the side in 2004.
Kaduna United currently sit in 19th place on the 20-team NPFL table with seven points from their first eight league matches.