Abia Warriors of Umuahia and Coach Imama Amapakabo got the media space buzzing as the news of both parties agreeing terms filtered the air.
Abia Warriors teeming fans, journalists, pundits and football enthusiast held the Umuahia warlords Management on high esteem for securing the services of one of the best coaches in the Nigeria Professional league.
It will be thus expedient to roll out the Intimidating Profile of the highly experienced coach who is expected to be at the helm of affairs of the team ahead of the new Nigeria Professional league season.
Imama Amapakabo (born July 27, 1969 in Okrika, Nigeria) is a Nigerian football coach. He is also the current head coach of the Nigeria U-23 team. He was also the Assistant coach of the Nigerian Super Eagles.
EARL LIFE
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 polygamy 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 grassroots 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.
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 sacked by the team.
In 2012, he was appointed technical adviser of Rangers International F.C.Imama took the centre stage and shocked the whole Nigeria football fraternity as he guided Enugu Rangers to its first league title after three decades, to the amazement of the whole soccer-loving Nigerians.
On October 18, 2017, he was appointed Head coach of El Kanemi Warriors where he signed a one year deal.
On October 6, 2018, Imama resigned as the head coach of El Kanemi Warriors.In February 2019, he was appointed Head coach of the Nigeria U23 National team.
Today, July 9, 2020, after a rigorous interview session with the board and management of Abia Warriors today at the Club complex in Umuahia, Imama was found worthy for the position of Abia Warriors head coach, Imama beat many renowned coaches who were invited.
Coach Imama Amapakabo is expected to take over from COACH Willy Udube who had occupied the exalted position on an interim basis following the departure of Emmanuel Deutch.