Warri Wolves make first coaching change of 2025/26 NPFL season

The Delta State Sports Commission (DSSC) has suspended the head coach of Warri Wolves FC, Aluma Napoleon, with immediate effect, making the club the first in the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season to alter its technical bench. According to the Commission, the move followed the club’s underwhelming performance in the current campaign. A […]

The Delta State Sports Commission (DSSC) has suspended the head coach of Warri Wolves FC, Aluma Napoleon, with immediate effect, making the club the first in the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season to alter its technical bench.

According to the Commission, the move followed the club’s underwhelming performance in the current campaign.

A suspension letter dated September 29, 2025, with reference number DSSC.32/11/91, and signed by Okonma Franca on behalf of the Executive Chairman, formally conveyed the directive.

In the interim, assistant coach Jonny Austin has been asked to take charge of the team until further notice. Coach Napoleon is expected to hand over all official documents and responsibilities to his deputy.

“This decision became necessary following the underperformance of the club which only recently gained promotion to the Nigeria Premier League.

“In the interim the suspended Head Coach has been directed to hand over all official documents and responsibilities to the Assistant Coach, Mr Jonny Austin, who will oversee the affairs of the club until further notice,” the statement said.

‎The Seasiders, who just returned to the top flight this season after their relegation to the lower league, suffered a 1-2 defeat at home to Shooting Stars SC of Ibadan on match day six. Their third loss in the last four league games, and they are sitting 10th on the log on 7 points.

Reacting to the sack, legendary coach, Moses Kpakor lamented that the system is against the career growth of local coaches.

“Poor Nigerian coaches. I don’t mean they are financially poor, but I only mean they are working in a system that’s very poor – a system that cannot ensure they are paid their compensation and wages.

“In fact, if you make investigations, you will discover that the players are yet to be paid their salaries since they signed their contracts. The coach is surely the scape goat despite the failures of management in providing the necessary support and leadership. That’s why I quit the coaching job and till today I haven’t looked back,” the former BBC Lions coach said.