Sports

I Am Ready To Serve In Any Capacity -Coach Ilerika

Published

4 years ago

April 20, 2022

Joel Ajayi

Newly appointed assistant coach to the under -17 national team, Usman Haruna Ilerika has stated that he is ready to serve in any capacity deemed fit by the Nigeria football federation.

He said has had the privilege to serve this country in different capacities at the age-grade level so giving him the opportunity to serve at the under -17 level is an added privilege.

The former FCDA FC, FC Abuja, and National Under- 15 coach stated this while reacting to criticisms that have trailed his appointment following the reports that he has better qualifications than the people being put ahead of him.

According to him, I am a coach and always ready to serve my country in any capacity whenever I am called upon.

“I have served at U-13 and U-15 for so many years, now I have been given the opportunity which is a rare privilege and I am ready to take it with both hands.

‘Being among the chosen ones in a country of over two hundred million people means so much to me and I am happy to serve.”

Haruna Ilerika is one of the most qualified coaches in Nigeria having acquired the requisite knowledge to handle any of our national teams.

He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria with a first degree and later went to Nigeria Institute of sports, NIS where he bagged a diploma in coaching after studying for two years in a reputable institution.

Ilerika is also a CAF licensed coach and currently CAF and NFF instructor and has contributed immensely to the discovery of players like Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidera Eze, Taiwo Abdurahman, John Lazarus, and many others.

In 2014, he took Nigeria under 15 teams to African youth games in Botswana where he won gold in football, and in 2018 in Algeria, he won silver.

Though it is a big source of worry for many stakeholders after NFF named him the third assistant coach despite his achievements and qualifications like he said ‘I am ready to serve in any capacity.’

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Sports

Tangerine APT Pension Crowned New Kings of PFA Games 2025

Published

11 hours ago

November 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi
Joel Ajayi Tangerine APT Pension stormed the 2025 Pension Fund Administrators Games and snatched the crown with a commanding 66 points—ending FCMB’s reign and announcing themselves as the new champions of corporate sporting excellence.

From the first whistle to the final scoreboard, Tangerine APT played like an organisation possessed. They dominated volleyball and snooker, showcased brilliant tactical depth to finish second in chess behind Norrenberger, secured second place in team bonding behind Premium Pension, and held their own across the board—fourth in football, sixth in table tennis, fifth in scrabble, and eighth in e-sports, press conference, discipline and grooming. Every point mattered, and Tangerine APT grabbed them with fire.

Defending champions FCMB, despite flashes of brilliance, simply could not summon last year’s magic.

They finished second overall with 63 points—just three points behind the new champions. FCMB were first in scrabble, second in football, third in table tennis and e-sports, fourth in snooker and team bonding, and fifth in volleyball, chess, and press conference/discipline/grooming. A brave defence, but not enough to stop the Tangerine wave.

Rounding off the podium is NPF Pension, finishing third with 57 points after a spirited campaign. They claimed gold in football, second in table tennis and e-sports, third in volleyball, fourth in scrabble, sixth in press conference/discipline/fanfare/most coordinated, seventh in chess, and eighth in snooker and team bonding.

The rest of the table saw fierce competition:4th – Norrenberger Pension: 52 points, 5th – Premium Pension: 47 points, 6th – NNPC Pension: 45 points, 7th – Access Arm: 41 points
In Others position 8th – Trustfund Pension: 29 points 9th – PENCOM: 28 points and 10th – NUPEMCO: 25 points.

With the dust settled and the cheers still echoing, one truth stands tall:Tangerine APT Pension has ushered in a new era—bold, dominant, and unforgettable.

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