SPORTS
Plateau Utd Unveil Mangut, Mancha as New Technical Adviser, Chief Coach
Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Plateau United FC of Jos yesterday unveiled Mbwas Mangut as its new Technical Adviser and ex-youth international Patrick Mancha as Chief Coach.
Mangut, a former Rangers International FC’s chief coach, succeeds Fidelis Ilechukwu who left the Jos-based club for Mangut’s former side Rangers International.
Mancha, a former Plateau United player, is the coach who returned Plateau United back to the Nigerian elite league in 2016.
The duo, who have now signed a three-year contract which will end in 2026, were unveiled at an elaborate ceremony held at the Plateau United Club House in Jos.
During the ceremony, Plateau United’s General Manager, Hosea Mutla, said the club management decided to start from home by bringing in the two coaches.
“These are people who have contributed immensely to the development of the team and the game.
“Plateau has produced some of the best coaches in the country and that is why our management deems it fit to appoint the two indigenous coaches.
“Both coaches played for the team in the past.
“We have had coaches who led the team to success both in Nigeria and on the continent. But, as management, we decided to come down home.
“After a careful study of our coaches, we settled for Mangut and Mancha who have contributed to the success of the team in the past,” he said.
Permanent Secretary, Plateau Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Rotmwa Konga who witnessed the unveiling, congratulated them on their appointments.
Konga assured the club of the ministry’s support and collaboration to enable them succeed.
The permanent secretary urged the newly-unveiled coaches to do their work diligently and faithfully knowing that they would give account of their deeds before God.
Mangut, in his remarks, thanked the management for finding him and his assistant worthy to lead the team to success, assuring that they would do their best for the team.
He solicited the support and cooperation of all and sundry to enable them succeed in their assignment.
“I know that Plateau United have set a standard and we will continue from there and we don’t want to go below the standard.
“We need to win 10 away games and if we do that, we will be in the continent. If we can achieve that I think we are there.
“And we will not accept anything below that, because in the past five years, the team has been among the first four teams in the country,” he promised.
The unveiling was witnessed by several stakeholders.
These are members of the Plateau Football Coaches Association, Plateau Referees Council, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and other stakeholders.
The two coaches are expected to resume duties today.
Meanwhile, following the appointment of a new technical adviser and chief coach for the team, the Plateau United management has dissolved the existing technical crew of the main team. (NAN)
Nasarawa United Football Club of Lafia on Saturday defeated Lobi Stars of Makurdi 1-0 in a pulsating North Central derby.
The matchday 16 fixture of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premiere Football League (NPFL) was played at the Lafia Township Stadium, Nasarawa State capital.
The Makurdi side had adopted the Lafia Township Stadium as their home ground for the 2024/2025 NPFL season.
The only goal of the match was scored by Qamar Adegoke in the 12th minute of the match to give all three points to the Lafia side.
Adegoke’s goal, who joined the Lafia team recently, was his second in four matches.
The Nasarawa attacker capitalised on a defensive error by the opponent’s backline and hit the back of the net to give Nasarawa United the advantage.
In a post-match interview, Kabir Dogo, Technical Adviser of Nasarawa United, hailed his players for taking all three points.
He explained that his team had improved by scoring five goals in their last three matches and expressed optimism that they would do better in subsequent games.
“We had a problem in the area of goal scoring in the past, but this has changed in our last three games,” he said.
With the win, Nasarawa United climbed to 14th on the NPFL table, while Lobi Stars remain on 17th position. (NAN)
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) is organising a two-day National Coaching Seminar, with the theme: “Leadership and Management Skills”.
The event will take place from Dec. 17 to Dec. 18, at the Additional Sports and Entertainment (ASEP) Pro Limited, in Mowe, Ogun State.
The seminar will enhance the capabilities of Nigerian table tennis coaches, with a particular emphasis on female coaches, aligning with the International Table Tennis Federation’s (ITTF) Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) Initiative.
A statement issued by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, on Tuesday, said that the seminar was part of the one-week sports and leadership boot camp titled “Awaken the Giant, She Can 4.
0,” proudly supported by NTTF.“This seminar will also represent the third stage of the 2024 “My Gender, My Strength” programme, which has table tennis star Abosede Akinsete, as a beneficiary.
“NTTF President,Tikon Ishaku, Vice President, Adesoji Tayo, and other board members are dedicated to initiatives that support the development of coaches.
“Wahid Enitan-Oshodi, ITTF Executive Vice President, and President of ITTF-Africa, reaffirms his commitment to empowering women in sports, in line with the GEDI Initiative.
He explained that the seminar would feature people, who would speak on leadership and management skills, to enhance the abilities of coaches to identify and develop talents, as well as encourage the development of high-performance table tennis players capable of competing globally. (NAN)
Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt on Sunday returned to the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) summit as strong rivals Remo Stars FC faltered on Match Day 13.
Report says that Rivers United beat visiting Abia Warriors of Umuahia 1-0 after an Ndifreke Effiong 58th minute goal from the penalty kick spot.
Effiong’s goal in the match at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium helped them to move to 25 points from 13 matches, after seven wins, four draws and two losses.
Former leaders Remo Stars dropped to second with 23 points from 13 matches after seven wins, two draws and four losses, following a 0-2 loss to hosts Katsina United.
Plateau United of Jos beat visiting Nasarawa United of Lafia 2-0 to bolster their position.
Shooting Stars Sports Club also struggled to a 1-0 win over visiting Bayelsa United of Yenago.
A 15th minute goal by Anthony Okachi at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan gave them the win.
El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri had on Saturday beaten Akwa United of Uyo 1-0 to move into third place on the table with 22 points from 13 games.
Enyimba International of Aba remained in fourth place with 20 points from 12 matches, with their week 13 game against Sunshine Stars of Akure on hold.
Rangers International of Enugu are in fifth place with 20 points also, after a goalless draw with hosts Heartland FC ain Owerri on Saturday.
Bendel Insurance of Benin had also beaten Kwara United of Ilorin 3-1, while Lobi Stars of Makurdi drew 2-2 with visiting Kano Pillars in Lafia.
NAN reports that the league will enter Match Day 14 on Wednesday.(NAN)
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