Kano Pillars, Bayelsa United repeating rivals’ mistakes

The recent appointment of Daniel Ogunmodede, popularly known as “Ijaball,” as the Technical Adviser of Kano Pillars, came as a surprise. My reaction was not born out of doubt regarding his qualifications to lead northern Nigeria’s biggest football club, but rather, the club’s apparent failure to learn from history. Time and again, Nigerian clubs have […]

The recent appointment of Daniel Ogunmodede, popularly known as “Ijaball,” as the Technical Adviser of Kano Pillars, came as a surprise. My reaction was not born out of doubt regarding his qualifications to lead northern Nigeria’s biggest football club, but rather, the club’s apparent failure to learn from history. Time and again, Nigerian clubs have suffered after appointing coaches burdened with national team duties – a mistake Kano Pillars now seem eager to repeat.

Indeed, the history of Nigerian football is replete with cases of coaches serving dual roles in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) while simultaneously managing national teams. The outcome for the clubs taking such risks is almost always either relegation or a perennial struggle against it.

Prominent Nigerian coaches who have struggled while juggling dual roles include Finidi George, who combined his Super Eagles duties under José Peseiro with his role at Enyimba FC; Salisu Yusuf, who managed the Super Eagles B team while being seconded by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to Enugu Rangers in 2019; and Ladan Bosso, who coached the Flying Eagles, El-Kanemi Warriors and Bayelsa United almost simultaneously.

Ogunmodede, who serves as a Super Eagles assistant coach alongside his new role as Kano Pillars’ Technical Adviser, is not alone. Abdu Maikaba is another coach currently serving two masters. After being appointed to coach the Flying Eagles, the former Pillars, Rangers, Akwa United and Wikki Tourists coach was recently unveiled as the Technical Adviser of Bayelsa United – a decision that has left many questioning whether the club is serious about returning to the top flight. Similarly, Fidelis Ilechukwu is paddling two canoes at once, serving as a Super Eagles assistant coach while simultaneously leading Enugu Rangers’ technical crew.

While coaches occupying dual positions are nothing new in Nigerian football, their effectiveness remains highly debatable. It is on record that the performance issues of Enyimba FC, the most successful club in Nigeria, began when Finidi George started shuttling between the Super Eagles camp and Aba. His assistants appeared to lack the ability to steer the club effectively in his absence, triggering a downward spiral. Last season, the former African champions barely managed to retain their NPFL status on the final day. El-Kanemi Warriors and Bayelsa United suffered similar fates when they hired Bosso despite knowing his commitments as Head Coach of the Flying Eagles.

Sadly, Kano Pillars, who have developed a habit of fighting relegation almost every season, have chosen to repeat these same mistakes. Hiring Ogunmodede is a risky decision that could easily backfire. Although he is one of the finest tactical minds in the NPFL, Remo Stars experienced a notable decline when he began splitting time between the club and the Super Eagles camp. While Ogunmodede managed to win a historic NPFL title with Remo Stars during the 2024/2025 season despite extended absences, the pressure eventually caught up with him.

The Ikenne-based team began to underperform, suffering embarrassing results against lesser opponents. By the time he left and former Super Eagles assistant coach, Usman Abdallah was brought in on a rescue mission, it was too late—Remo Stars not only failed to defend their title, but were ultimately relegated. Remo Stars paid a heavy price for a coach distracted by national team assignments.

Unless Kano Pillars possess insider information that Ogunmodede will step down from his national role, they have committed a serious blunder. The club desperately needs a manager who can focus entirely on restoring their lost glory, not someone splitting attention with the Super Eagles. Moreover, because representing the national team is the pinnacle of any manager’s career, it is unrealistic to expect Ogunmodede to prioritise Pillars over his country. If he remains with the Super Eagles, the four-time NPFL champions must prepare to prosecute critical fixtures without their technical adviser on the touchline.

If Pillars’ decision raised eyebrows, Bayelsa United’s appointment of Maikaba was downright shocking. Following their relegation to the Nigeria National League (NNL), Governor Douye Diri disbanded the previous board and established a new management committee tasked with securing an immediate return to the NPFL. However, the committee, led by former NFA board member, Dr. Peter Singabele, baffled observers by selecting a coach whose calendar is already packed with national duties.

Maikaba is currently in Côte d’Ivoire with the Flying Eagles for the WAFU B Championship, leaving his assistants at Bayelsa United to handle pre-season preparations alone. If the national U-20 team qualifies for the 2027 U-20 AFCON and the World Cup, Maikaba will scarcely have time to guide Bayelsa United back to the top flight. Many wonder why, with numerous competent free-agent coaches available, the committee chose someone tied to a demanding national role.

Nigeria appears to be the only country where national team coaches are permitted to simultaneously manage club sides. It is a major distraction that professional clubs and federations elsewhere strictly avoid. One would never see José Mourinho managing Real Madrid and the Portugal national team at the same time, nor Mikel Arteta coaching Arsenal alongside Spain. Such dual roles are incompatible with high-level football where professionalism and on-field results are prioritised.

However, the root cause in Nigeria often comes down to poor remuneration. National team coaches face irregular pay from the NFF, with some receiving only allowances and others passing away while still owed back pay. Consequently, managers take on club jobs as a matter of financial survival. Unfortunately, the clubs paying their salaries bear the brunt of the poor results when these managers are away on national duty.

Both Kano Pillars and Bayelsa United have made decisions that could severely hamper their upcoming campaigns. Unless both management teams have a hidden strategy up their sleeves, the fallout will become obvious once league action resumes.

To stop this unprofessional practice, the NFF must ensure that national team coaches are paid regularly and adequately compensated, eliminating the incentive to seek side jobs. Beyond causing club-level distractions, dual roles also create clear conflicts of interest, often leading coaches to offer unmerited national team call-ups to players from their own clubs.