Enyimba part ways with Ikhana, set to unveil new coach

VETERAN coach Kadiri Ikhana will not be in charge of Nigeria champions, Enyimba, when the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) kicks off next month, officials have announced.

The contract of Ikhana as the Enyimba head coach has run out and it will not be extended despite guiding them to a seventh league crown in November.

The club’s media officer, Farriel Alaputa, said a new coach will be announce soon.
“Kadiri Ikhana’s contract as Technical Adviser of @EnyimbaFC will not be extended. A new manager will be appointed in the coming days to replace Kadiri Ikhana and guide the team next season,” tweeted the Enyimba spokesman.

In February, they will face Ugandan champions, Vipers FC, in a preliminary round of the Caf Champions League.
Allaputa said: “Ikhana’s contract which elapsed with the out gone season was not renewed for reasons best known to the management.
“Management has vowed to give the side capable coach to guide the team in their quest for more titles in the continent and domestic scene.”

Alaputa, however, could not confirm speculation that the seven-time Nigerian champions will be going after their former coach, Salisu Yusuf.
“I cannot confirm that right now that Salisu Yusuf is the anointed man to replace Kadiri Ikhana, I am sure Nigerians will not be kept too long on the identity of the new man at Enyimba,” said Alaputa.

Enyimba already have a date with the Ugandan champions, Vipers in the continent’s elite clubs competition in the second week of February in Kampala.
The former Kano Pillars and Kwara United coach guided Enyimba to Nigeria’s first Caf Champions League title in 2003.