2023/2024 NPFL managerial sack race: Three clubs who may change coaches except… | SportsRation

After eleven weeks of action in the 2023/2024 NPFL season, SportsRation looks at the managerial sack race, three clubs that may soon consider changing coaches except there is a significant turnaround in form.

Recall that the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League season had claimed its first managerial casualty since week-nine when Heartland FC sacked Coach Christian Obi and appointed two-time NPFL winner, Kennedy Boboye in his stead.

That change at Heartland FC did not start well as Enyimba took maximum points from the visit to Okigwe in week ten.

A 0-0 draw vs Shooting Stars in week eleven may well spark a positive turnaround at Heartland FC under Kennedy Boboye’s charge.

NPFL MANAGERIAL SACK RACE

The three clubs leading the race to change coaches in the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League season are; Bayelsa United FC, Gombe United FC and Akwa United FC.

BAYELSA UNITED FC: Coach Dipreye Teibowei is under pressure to turn things around at Bayelsa United FC.

The former AITEO Cup champions started the season very well with a 5-3 win over Akwa United FC but have secured just six more points since that game to occupy 19th spot in NPFL table with just nine points.

In their week eleven fixture, Bayelsa United FC had to come from 2-goals down to play 2-2 vs Abia Warriors at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenegoa.

Whereas, fans are very unhappy with Coach Dipreye Teibowei with many critical about his team selection, he enjoys the advantage of being a son of the soil plus the pedigree of leading the club back to the top-flight and winning the Federation Cup from the second tier.

The advantages notwithstanding, Teibowei must find solution to the clubs wobbling form as soon as possible.

GOMBE UNITED FC: After suffering 0-3 and 2-5 home losses vs Doma United FC and Kano Pillars FC respectively, it is safe to say all is not well at Gombe United FC.

Last weekend, visiting Kano Pillars FC flourished putting five-goals past their hosts to take maximum points in the week eleven fixture.

Prior to that game, United had lost 2-0 away to Kwara United FC in a match, Technical Adviser, Mohammed Babaganaru was conspiciously absent from.

Assistant Coach, Alhaji Kwairanga took charge in Babaganaru’s absence with official managerial changes top consideration at the moment in Gombe.

The fact that neighbours, Doma United FC are steadied at the positive side of the league table after week eleven has piled even more pressure on the state government funded Savannah Scorpions who are placed 16th on the log.

To make matters worse, Gombe United FC will play their next two games away to Lobi Stars and Sunshine Stars.

For a team that has been poor on the road this season, chances are high the clubs management may pull the axe in the NPFL managerial sack race.

AKWA UNITED FC; The Promise Keepers are placed 17th on the Nigeria Premier Football League standing with eleven points from 11 matches.

For a team known to be title contenders, it is therefore a strange sight seeing the 2020/2021 Nigerian champions in the relegation zone.

Coach Fatai Osho is surely under pressure especially from the clubs fans who are not happy with the run of four home-draws already this season.

Osho has repeatedly lamented over his teams inability to score goals from chances created, a challenge he must find solution for as soon as possible.

Akwa United FC last weekend shared spoils with Kwara United FC following a 1-1 draw in Uyo.

That result ensured the Promise Keeper remained in the drop zone ahead of their visit to Kano Pillars in week 12.

A positive result in Kano will do Coach Fatai and the Promise Keepers good.

A defeat in Kano and failing to defeat Lobi Stars in week thirteen may cause the ‘obviously worried’ management to ring managerial changes.

2023/2024 NPFL STANDING AFTER WEEK ELEVEN