Kogi United Football Club has officially unveiled Gilbert Opana as the new Technical Adviser. The former Jigawa Golden Stars player and coach was introduced at a brief ceremony held on Monday, March 10, 2025, at the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja.
The Chairman of Kogi United, Honourable Abdulmalik Isah, emphasized the club’s expectations for Opana, urging him to bring his experience, discipline, and dedication to steer the club back to success. He highlighted the importance of resilience, determination, and hard work in restoring Kogi United to its former glory.
Speaking at the unveiling, Honourable Isah stated that Opana was appointed based on his impressive track record in Nigerian football. He expressed confidence that the new coach's expertise would be instrumental in securing the club’s promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL).
The chairman also commended the Kogi State government under Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for its unwavering support of the state's football teams. He acknowledged the financial and moral backing provided by the administration, stressing that the club would not take such support for granted.
In his acceptance speech, Gilbert Opana expressed gratitude to the management for entrusting him with the role. He assured fans and stakeholders that he would work tirelessly to achieve the club’s primary objective of gaining promotion in the upcoming Nationwide League One (NLO) season.
The new coach will be supported by assistant coaches Mohammed Yusuf, Abdulazeez Adeiza, and Taiye Ojo. Together, they are expected to build a formidable team capable of competing at the highest level in the NLO.
Kogi United came close to securing promotion last season but narrowly missed out. With Opana now at the helm, the club is determined to correct past mistakes and make a strong push for a place in the NNL.
The team’s preparation for the new season is already underway, with training sessions expected to intensify in the coming weeks. Opana’s arrival is seen as a major boost to Kogi United’s ambitions, given his experience in handling teams at different levels of Nigerian football.
Supporters of the Confluence State club are optimistic that the new leadership will deliver results. The appointment of Opana signals a fresh start for Kogi United as they gear up for the league campaign set to begin in April 2025.
With the backing of the state government, club management, and passionate fans, Kogi United is hopeful that the 2025 season will mark a turning point in its quest for promotion to the Nigeria National League.
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