Ikorodu Utd Fires Okpodu, Dutchman de Jong Takes over
As the terrible season continues, Lagos-based Nigeria Professional Football League side FC Ikorodu United has sacked head coach, Sam Okpodu, and replaced him with Dutchman, Theodorus Jacob de Jong.
This is the second time the club will be changing their coach this season.
After a bad start to the season, Opkodu replaced Edema Benson who was demoted to the role of assistant coach.
De jong was first appoint as Technical Director of the club last month. The 68-year old de Jong has managed top Dutch sides like Willem 11, FC Zwolle, SC Cambuur and Go Ahead Eagles.
The change has been made following their poor form this season in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
They drew their last game at home to Akwa United 1-1. That result leaves them bottom of the table.
FC Ikorodu United has only managed three wins from 22 games in the NPFL this season. The club has lost 12 games and drawn six.
Meanwhile, de Jong has promised to pull the string to ensure the side survive the murky water of relegation in the ongoing top-flight.
Jong however admitted that the task before the Oga Boys is daunting but with the cooperation and support of everybody the side will overcome its toughest challenge.
“We all together with the staff, everybody involved in the team working at same pace will surely get out of relegation in the ongoing league season.
“The task is right there before our eyes we all need to work very hard and do it assiduously till the end of the race.
“We will go about it with 100% commitment to serve and I’m sure we will succeed at the end of the day.
“I feel good to be handed the responsibility of the team, I recognise the kind of position the team is at the moment.
“The plight of the team is right there, we will try to put thing in the right place to ensure we play good football,” said the former FC Zwolle and SC Cambuur coach to supersport.com.
The former Rod JC and Feyenoord playmaker appealed to the side’s teeming supporters for patience, support and understanding.
“My sincerest message to the fans is for them to stay solidly behind the team in this trying period.
“They should not argue unnecessarily or fight anyone but to respect the rules of the game as well as the management, players and the bench.
“I believe we will succeed in our mission to rescue the team from going down on relegation,” said the 68-year old tactician.
Jong will not be on the hot seat at the weekend as the Lagos outfit NPFL Match day 24 clash against champions, Enyimba has been put off due to the People’s Elephant CAF Champions League assignment at the South African side, Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday.