Supporters of Enugu Rangers on Wednesday, expressed different views over the appointment of Gbenga Ogunbote as the club’s new head coach.
While some of the supporters, who spoke to our correspondent, praised the Enugu State Government, who owns the Premier League club for appointing the former Sharks coach, others said Ogunbote had yet to prove he is a quality coach.
Meanwhile, the supporters are backing the return of an old boy of the Premier League club Davidson Owumi to the side as their General Manager.
Ogunbote, who helped Enyimba to a third-place finish in the Premier League last season, was unveiled at the Enugu State Government House on Wednesday. Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi performed the ceremony alongside Owumi. Ogunbote replaces 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner Sylvanus Okpala, who was fired by the club recently.
Former 3SC and Sunshine Stars manager Ogunbote told reporters after the ceremony that he was excited at the opportunity of managing Rangers.
Owumi said new challenge was to build a strong professional side, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
“Everybody will be part of the move to rebrand Rangers because we need to develop a brand for ourselves,” NAN quoted the former Nigeria forward as saying.
However, in separate interviews with our correspondent, the club’s supporters expressed different views on Ogunbote and Owumi’s appointments.
Chairman of Rangers International Supporters Club, Mr. Ibuchukwu Nwodo, said Ogunbote was the right person to take the Coal City outfit to the “next level”.
Nwodo described Ogunbote and Owumi as a “perfect match”.
He said, “Rangers have been on reform since the end of last season – we are trying to get it right.
“Based on his past records, I think Ogunbote is the right person. He is highly experienced in both the Nigerian league and continental football.”
Nwodo said the supporters club was behind the new management team.
“Our support can never be 99 per cent, it must be 100 per cent. We will not only support the team, we are also supporting Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who has been supporting the team.”
But an ex-chairman of the supporters club, Chika Nzelu, expressed reservations about Ogunbote’s appointment.
He said, “I have a problem with the new coach. Ogunbote has not won any trophy, he has coached 3SC and Enyimba but he is yet to win any trophy.
“Okpala should have been allowed to continue, especially after saving Rangers from relegation. Okpala came in when Rangers were about to go on relegation and he steadied the ship and the club survived.
“I don’t know the consideration (for Ogunbote’s appointment) but the decision lies with the government.”
Nzelu added, “Owumi has done well for Rangers. In this new management, there is a need for someone who has experience and Owumi knows how to play the game, he knows the politics of football inside and outside of the field.”