My love for Jose Mourinho - Ike Thankgod

Former Warri Wolves captain, Ike ThankGod, is an assistant coach of Vandrezzer FC in the Nigeria National League (NNL). After a successful career in Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), he left the shores of the country to play for Fanja SC of the Oman Professional League before returning back home to pursue his coaching career. The towering defender speaks on life as coach and other sundry issues, writes Samson Oti.

Ike ThankGod has witnessed the good, the bad and the ugly of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) after spending nearly his entire playing in Nigeria. But, for a short stint in the Arabian country Omani League, before hanging his boot and headed back home to take up coaching positions, ThankGod has seen it all in the Nigerian league with Champions Enyimba FC, Heartlands, Sunshine Stars and Warri Wolves. He was also a veteran of CAF Champions League. With a resume like this, the 37-year-old is qualified to talk about the Nigerian league.

MEMORIES OF NPFL

He said: “Without doubt, I have wonderful memories of my playing career. I made a name for myself in the league. I played against top players in Africa as well as playing for the national team. It’s always a good memory that I shared with players today. As a player then, I was able to see the good, bad and ugly of a footballer’s career. But what always rings in my head is that I want to be the best I can and thank God I was able to play to my best and have the best memories of playing time. But my best was carved into my hard work on a daily basis and ability to learn from other good defenders both in the league and foreign leagues. It was a combination of hard work and ability to listen and learn.”

The former Warri Wolves defender and captain, chose to the glory of the league rather than the sore points as he recounted the goodness and high points of his career.

GREAT TIME AT WARRI WOLVES

He said of his times in Warri Wolves, which he led to the top of the league and the CAF Champions League to be counted among Nigeria’s and Africa’s best teams.

“Of all the teams that I have played I won’t forget Warri Wolves. I had a fantastic experience there. Warri Wolves are one of the best in Nigerian League and one of the best in the continent. We played good football and earned good applauds from the media across the country. As a matter of fact, some of our players played for the Super Eagles at a point. We have Sunday Mbah, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu and hosts of other good players who made the country proud continentally. Why Warri Wolves is not in contention again could probably be lack of funds. During our time in Warri Wolves, the club was able to buy and invest a lot of money in players and that motivated everyone because we were happy to give it all on the pitch. It is the secret of Warri Wolves excellent performance in those days. Football is all about money.”

FOND MEMORIES

He recalled the great games that led to getting an invite to the Nigeria senior national team during his career.

One of them was in the CAF Champions League against Congo DR and one of Africa’s top clubs, TP Mazembe.

“I played lots of fantastic games, both in the national team and club level but I will pick the game against Kano Pillars where I paired with late Chinedu Udoji, and scored the winning goal at the last minutes to beat Kano Pillars in Kano State.

“The toughest opponent in my career was against TP Mazembe in Congo DR in CAF Champions League finals. We lost but I played the game of my life that was during my days in Warri Wolves when we were one of the hottest Africa teams.”

ThankGod played with determination and confidence. He saw himself as a leader in all the teams he has played for marshaling from defense to claim victories at home and away matches.

These qualities were observed by managers, players and coaches, who propped him to developed these abilities and try out football coaching at the end of his playing career.

COACHING PROSPECT

He added: “Every time I am playing, a lot of people tell me to go into coaching after my career, probably because of my charisma in organizing my teammates, and playing a leading role to ensure victory for the team. Even some of my coaches advised me to go into coaching that I will be a good coach and today I am enjoying every bit of the challenge. Immediately I stopped playing, I took it upon myself that I will develop my skill in the area of coaching and today, I do not regret that decision.

LOVE FOR JOSE MOURINHO

The present Assistant Coach Nigerian team Vandrezzer FC adores famous coach Jose Mourinho because he shares some qualities that have made the Portuguese national a success and toast of many soccer players and followers.

These qualities are passion, determination and aggression.

“I love Jose Mourinho, he’s a great coach, he’s very aggressive and determined, and he’s a coach that intimidates oppositions due to his pedigree and style of play. Although I fancy an attacking style of playing despite being a defender, my coaching style is attacking style.”

As a coach and manager he has made in road with Heartland FC, his states’ team and one of his former clubs.

HEARTLAND TEAM MANAGER

In the last two seasons, I was in Heartland FC of Owerri as team manager. I decided to go out of Owerri to have more experience and more challenges, and at some point I went for a coaching course to develop my skill, which was successful. Of course, I could have remained in Heartland but I want to make name for myself and build my ability as a coach and that is why I am in Vandrezzer as an assistant coach to build on my ability.

VANDREZER ASSISTANT COACH

He is currently the assistant coach of Vandrezzer FC and he said he’s enjoying the experience.

“In Vandrezzer, we have crop of fantastic players, don’t forget the team has played in NPFL before now, but coming back again will be explosive, we are coming to stay for long, and, all efforts to ensure maximum focus is on ground. Last two seasons that this team competed at the NPFL, the club showed what they are up to, they showed class and attributes of modern football. We are committed to work hard for success at the same time to be a team to reckon with in the Nigerian League.

As a coach, my major focus is to be part of the successful team that will return to the NPFL and we all believe we can do it.”

NPFL IMPROVEMENT

In spite of the backlash that has characterized the Nigerian league and the drop; he’s not giving up on the league, at least not yet.

“In terms of technicality, we have good players in the Nigeria Premier League; I just told you the secret of Warri Wolves’ success. When a team has good players with enough motivation, players will want to play. The coaching crew would like to develop more and give their best on weekly basis. The Nigeria league is better than some highly rated African league but due to bad officiating, poor management and players’ welfare, people always bring down the league but in Nigeria, we have good players that can compete. Don’t forget Sunday Mbah was a product of the Nigerian league, Muhammed Gambo of Kano Pillars and other good players. What our league is lacking is organization which I think is getting better this season.”

ThankGod noted that things are also getting better in the area of officiating.

“Also, bad officiating has reduced because we have seen matches whereby home teams losing at home and nothing happened. The referees and their conduct have been fair to the standard of a league but we need more.”