Imama Amapakabo
Imama Amapakabo (born July 27, 1969 in Okrika, Nigeria) is Nigerian football coach. He was the head coach of the Nigeria U-23 team.[1][2] He was also the assistant coach of the Nigerian super eagles. Imama is the current head coach of Abia Warriors F.C.[3]
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | July 27th, 1969 | ||
Place of birth | Okrika, Nigeria | ||
Playing position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Nigeria U-23 National Team | ||
National team | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1985 | Nigeria U-17 National Team | 1 | |
Teams managed | |||
Years | Team | ||
2002 | Rivers United F.C. | ||
2012 | Rangers International F.C. | ||
2017 | El-Kanemi Warriors F.C. | ||
2020 | Abia Warriors F.C. |
Early life and career
Imama Amapakabo was born and raised in Okrika. He was born into the family of Mr. Amapakabo where he had twenty two siblings in total. He was born into a polygyny family, he raised by his parents and while attending high school he had the opportunity of playing football.
Imama began his career as a Striker for his grass root team, he later turned a goalkeeper. In 1985, he was part of the Golden Eaglets team that won the first edition of the FIFA U17 World Cup in China and was the second choice goalkeeper for the team.[4]
Coaching career
In 2002, Imama began coaching his first time Sharks FC (now Rivers United F.C.). He had coached Rivers United F.C. for ten years before being dismissed by the team. In 2012, he was appointed technical adviser of Rangers International F.C.[5][6][7] In 2017, he was suspended from Rangers International F.C.[8][9][10][11]
In July 2017, he was arrested by the police on grounds of being in possession of government property after being fired by Enugu Rangers. He was said to be in possession of the official vehicle that was given to him as long as he remains an employee of the club and also the key to house provided to the head coach of the club.[12] Imama was said to have written to the League Management Committee over wrongful termination of contract.[13]
On October 18, 2017 he was appointed Head coach of El Kanemi Warriors where he signed a one year deal.[14][15] On October 6, 2018, Imama resigned as the head coach of El Kanemi Warriors.[16][17]
Nigeria U-23
In February 2019, he was appointed Head coach of the Nigeria U23 National team.[18][19][20]
References
- "Nigeria appoint Imama Amapakabo to lead U-23". Daily Trust. 2019-02-05. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- "Imama Amapakabo to take charge of Nigeria's U-23 team". 2019-02-03. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- Saliu, Mohammed (2020-07-23). "Abia Warriors Unveils Imama Amapakabo As New Head Coach". Latest Sports News In Nigeria. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
- "Ugbade, Amapakabo recall Golden Eaglets triumph in 1985". TheCable. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- Eribake, Akintayo (2016-06-26). "How Nigeria can qualify for World Cup- Rangers Coach". Vanguard News Nigeria. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- Oludare, Shina. "Enugu Rangers win Nigeria Professional Football League title as Rivers United and Wikki Tourists slip up | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- VAVEL.com (2016-08-18). "Opinion: Rangers on the path to glory". VAVEL. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- Inyang, Ifreke (2017-04-11). "Imama Amapakabo confirms Rangers exit". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- "Rangers FC suspends Coach Amapakabo". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2017-04-10. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- news, Goal. "Rohr called after Enugu Rangers' sack, reveals Amapakabo | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- admin (2017-04-15). "Amapakabo: From Grace to Grass". THISDAYLIVE. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- "Imama Amapakabo – The many troubles of a hero turned villain". The Sun Nigeria. 2017-07-22. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- Brila (2017-07-20). "Imama Amapakabo arrested on Orders of Enugu Rangers". Latest Sports News In Nigeria. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- "Ex-Rangers coach Amapakabo joins El-Kanemi Warriors". News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). 2017-10-18. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- "El-Kanemi Warriors to storm six states for pre-season preparations | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- Okogba, Emmanuel (2018-10-07). "Amapakabo quits El Kanemi". Vanguard News Nigeria. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- Brila (2018-10-06). "Imama Amapakabo Walks away from El-Kanemi Warriors". Latest Sports News In Nigeria. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- "Nigeria appoint Imama Amapakabo to lead U-23". Daily Trust. 2019-02-05. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- "Imama Amapakabo to take charge of Nigeria's U-23 team". 2019-02-03. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- Jacob-Akpan, Calista (2019-02-13). "U-23 AFCON: Imama Amapakabo calls up 33 players ahead Libya clash". TODAY.NG. Retrieved 2019-02-21.