Sports

Argentine coach, Rodolfo Zapata express interest in Super Eagles job

Published

2 years ago

July 19, 2024

By T. Dennis

Rodolfo Zapata, an Argentine coach has expressed interest in the vacant Super Eagles coaching role.

This comes on the backdrop of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), currently seeking a “foreign technical” advisor to lead the team, following a dismal performance in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which resulted in Finidi George’s resignation as coach after just two matches.

Finidi George assumed the role of a coach in April, succeeding Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, who left after leading the team to the final of the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.

However, the former Ajax winger left the job in the wake of the 1-1 draw against South Africa and the 2-1 defeat against Benin Republic in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Meanwhile Zapata, who was a former coach of Nigeria Premier League clubside, Sunshine Stars of Akure in 2010 and won the Botswana Premier League in 2019 with Township Rollers FC, believes he is the best man for the job.

“My main idea is to play offensively, pressing in the opponent half side with a winning attitude. I want my team to take the initiative, be protagonist,’’ the United States based coach, said.

“My main idea is to play in the opponent side. This means that we are going to attack and, if we have to defend the goal our job is to pressure high to attack again. The best way to defend is to attack’’.

Furthermore, he highlighted the need for team work and collaboration amongst the players, coaching staff and board members.

The erstwhile footballer, who has managed other African teams in Rwanda, South Africa, Botswana and Kenya also spoke on his coaching philosophy.

“If you want to build a winning team, you must first establish a culture of winning. To do that, set high standards for yourself, staff and players in every aspect of the operation and then start to chase them.

“These goals should be specific, difficult and challenging, but realistic.

“Continuity, consistency and ambition are particularly important to create a successful program. Ambition must be coupled with hard work for success to be achieved,’’ Zapata disclosed in an interview.

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Sports

Agada Shines with Brace as Orijent Beat Karlovac 2-0

Published

6 hours ago

October 24, 2026

The Gleamer

Nigerian forward Charles Adah Agada scored twice as HNK Orijent secured a 2-0 away victory over Karlovac 1919 in the Croatian SuperSport Prva NL on Saturday.

Orijent produced an impressive performance at the Branko Čavlović-Čavlek Stadium in Karlovac to claim all three points in the league encounter.

Agada, a former Mavlon FC of Lagos attacker, was the standout performer, finding the net twice to help the visitors overcome their hosts and strengthen their position in the league campaign.
Orijent went into the half-time break with a 1-0 advantage before extending their lead in the second half.

The Nigerian striker completed his brace with the goal that made it 2-0 in the 57th minute.
Karlovac were unable to find a response as Orijent held on to their advantage to secure victory away from home.

The result represents an important boost for Orijent, who will look to build on the performance in their subsequent league fixtures.

For Agada, the brace underlines his value to the team as Orijent continue their campaign in Croatia’s second-tier football competition.

He has built an important role on loan at the club and has successfully established himself as a regular fixture in their lineup, appearing in all 8 league matches so far this season.

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