Babaganaru Assumes Duty As New Akwa Utd’s Coach

The management of relegation-battling Akwa United Football Club has named Muhammed Babaganaru, former Gombe United Coach, as the new Manager.

Akwa United Football Club is at the lower rung of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

LEADERSHIP learnt that the highly experienced tactician, who engaged the players in training sessions at the weekend, would be in – charge of his first assignment on Wednesday, when the Promise Keepers take on Doma United of Gombe, in the NPFL home match in Uyo, having defeated Plateau and Gombe Utds in recent successive away games.

Promising to help add quality to the technical crew of the 2021 champions, the two-time league winner with Kano Pillars said he is “delighted to join a team with great football tradition and wonderful management”.

The Chairman of the club, Elder Paul Bassey, who spoke to LEADERSHIP Weekend, said it was a privilege having Coach Babaganaru in Akwa United.

“We took a while to contact a gaffer after the departure of Coach Fatai Osho because we wanted one of the best. When coach Babaganaru left Gombe United, we moved in and convinced him out of his desired rest to help us fight the drop.

“In doing so, we will forever be grateful to coach Umar Abdullahi, and his colleagues for a difficult assignment that has started yielding fruits. Coach Umar is a young coach to watch,” he noted.

The Chairman also congratulated the players for the spirit of dedication, focus and determination they are currently putting in to return Akwa United to the winning ways.

He urged the fans to continue their support for the team that has severally brought honour to football in the State.

Checks by LEADERSHIP Weekend revealed that coach Babaganaru, came to Akwa United from a rich football administration pedigree in the domestic league, having won the NPFL title with Kano Pillars, and had previously worked with Nasarawa United, Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, Lobi Stars of Makurdi and El-kaneni Warriors of Maiduguri.