₦airaland Forum

Joebie:
How ex-Nigeria goalkeeper Egbo overcame racism to guide KF Tirana to Albanian league title glory

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Michael Madyira | 07/27/20

https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/GOAL/87/97/ismael-dunga-of-kf-tirana-and-kenya_qezysmflvmj41mb6qybq15ua7.jpg

The former Super Eagles goalkeeper talks about how he wrote history in European football with the odds stacked against him

KF Tirana coach Ndubuisi Egbo has likened winning the Albanian Superliga title to Barack Obama winning the American presidency since he also suffered racial abuse on the way to achieving the historical feat.

The 47-year-old Nigerian became the first African head coach to guide a European team to a league title and is also set to be the first tactician from his continent to lead a team in the Uefa Champions League.

But before Tirana were crowned Albanian champions for the first time in 11 years, Egbo - who is fluent in Albanian - said he had to endure racial abuse which he, however, did not allow to discourage him.

“There are people who don't want me to win because of my colour. There is racism. One game they threw a banana at me. They spat at me,” Egbo told BBC Sport.

“The officials of the Albanian FA did not do anything, because it was an away game and they had a white set of fans. The police and security were there - and nobody did anything.

"They were afraid of the fans there. I couldn't do anything. I just had to accept it.

“I said to them, 'have you finished'? They wanted the ground to open up for them to disappear.”

After playing for Tirana as a goalkeeper between 2001 and 2004, Egbo rejoined the club as a goalkeeping coach in 2014.

But he only assumed the head coach role midway through the just-ended campaign, in December 2019.

It was a remarkable triumph for the Nigerian who took over the team when they stared relegation in the face and transformed them into champions.

When he was appointed head coach, Tirana were 15 points off the leaders but went on to win 20 of the 23 remaining games on their way to the champions podium.

“My fellow Africans said, 'you don't know what you've done for us by winning this championship'. It is just like when Obama won the Presidency in America. That's exactly how it is seen here,” added Egbo.

The ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper also talked about the few opportunities for African coaches in Europe.

“If you look at the English Premier League, you rarely see any dark-skinned coaches there. You have to go into the National League before you see that," Egbo continued.

“I feel both joy and sadness. We are not given enough opportunities. We only want the same opportunities. It is just like what Black Lives Matter are doing, but it the football circles, to give opportunities to those who deserve them.”

Egbo’s feat took place the same weekend former Cameroon forward Pierre Achille Webo helped Istanbul Basaksehir win the Turkish Super Lig title as an assistant coach.

-- goal

I knew it

komekn:
I have watched the game from.the beginning and he has been playing box to box.

He had knitted up play from the back and then knitted up play from the front. He has been one of Fulhams best players so far.

He has little technical ability for an AM, I don't think he's that good honestly

komekn:
Playing without Mitrovic the best striker in the Championship a huge handicap for Fulham.

Tega is stamping his presence on the game.

Tega is not premier league quality, that dash is the only thing he has done this game

These two teams would easily go down...

Onomah playing as an AM in the Championship playoffs against Cardiff

These fools have removed one tackle from Ndidi making Aaron wan Bissaka the top tackler

Jesus Christ!!!

mostob:
Well, I respect your opinion bro. As for me,I will sit down with the coach and discuss with him. If you wan give me minutes on the pitch,give me meaningful one.

Haha I'm sure the guy is just enjoying his money

sheyishemba:
I think it a step down for him going to rangers he needs to move ahead not backward coz he is developing at a very fast rate considering his exploit in France and making the top ten in minutes per goal thats a step down IMO he should be heading to west ham or any other club in Europe top 5 he have talents to meet up with any middle table in Europe top 5 going to ranger is a step down he can move to Lille they need a CF, Wolfsburg,etc

It may or may not be a step down, if he wins the Scottish premier league it would bring him into light more than anything he could have done in France

Like Eduord is monitored by top clubs

mostob:
Bro... make we talk true .. United was leading comfortably so we can't say it was time wasting tactic. Injury time? I hear but a minute towards to FT is just somehow.

Coaches waste time with players and he's not in a position to demand anything

mostob:
Should we call these professionalism or what? Dem brought you on less than a minute to FT and you dey shine teeth. I'm not saying he should fight o but at least he should show some dissatisfaction.

Ighalo is 31 and on loan, actually brought in as a 3rd choice striker

Should you expect him to fight the coach because he was brought on late?

Rangers have started talks for Josh Maja

There could be 3 Nigerians there by next season

On a happier note, Ndidi is the king of tackles for 2019/2020

That is three seasons in a row

daveP:
So that's the only reason footballers dont deserve a shot at FA? Zambia?

Those there are doing a good job maybe.

I don't know but he won't be voted sorely because he was a footballer

Edopesin:
Their injury woes contributed to their downfall even though Rodgers cluelessness contributed greatly

Even before the injury woes they were terrible, morale is low in that squad

To be honest I don't see Leicester finishing top 6 next season, so much indiscipline in the squad Soyuncu fighting, Kasper (their supposed captain) making stupid mistakes

The best time to leave is now!

Schiemcel has gifted Lingard his first goal in many years

daveP:
Most FA in Africa dont want an ex footballer to become president, why? See how they curve Drogba?

Being a good footballer doesn't make you a good leader

jihday:
Na this kain mentality dey vex me, why can't he start somewhere and get noticed? Why lobbying for a job with the SE or dream team not even the U-17, all these opportunist sef their matter dey tire me

The guy wanted to walk in and be offered a job

Learner

The best young player in the world and Greenwood

Joebie:
One of them is the biggest liar I’ve ever seen (outside the internet as well). I’ve exposed him, and he ran away like nothing happened, still ranting on here and calling people names. And to even think that some people believed his lie shows how some are gullible.

Hmm

Sheyishemba you know people to respond and people to ignore

Some people only thrive in bringing down others because their worthless self esteem desperately needs it.

Joebie:
Ahmed Musa

What are you trying to prove?

TheOtherCitizen:
It's a good goal. Coventry are the best team in League 1, just got promoted to Championship.

Can't remember the opponent but Aribo did this in one of our international friendlies.

That was much tighter, he just walked into their six yard box

[quote author=TheOtherCitizen post=92100335]Joe Aribo

1.0 Joe Aribo big season for him this year he means business ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/axN3EJGfdU

— RangersSpareTickets🐻 (@rangers_spare) July 25, 2020

at the space they leave in Scottish league

Hilarious

Isahalbash:
Blame govt and stop saying it is because they are christians..that's my point.

The same herdsmen have been killing people in muslim dominated areas nobody is saying it is because they are muslims or not.

Herdsmen have killed people in my states and it was not because they were christians but simply because they asked them to stop encroaching on their farmlands.

Herdsmen dont care which religion you practice.

People in Southern Kaduna have been targeted and killed for YEARS, I don't think any part of Kaduna has experienced this problem and that coincidentally is the only Christian population in the state, El Rufai has paid deaf ears to them and his sons openly mock them on twitter, they should be given the protection the rest of the state enjoys

Isahalbash:
Simple question: are those people killed in zamfara and katsina killed because they are christians?

Why always using the "christian" tag ?

Those killed in Kaduna are because of what? Why has the government not stopped the killings despite its many years of going on? Why are the people of Southern Kaduna prevented from defending themselves?

#

Edopesin:
You can DM him on Facebook and ask

Except it's a fake Facebook account

Isahalbash:
Which of the people? I guess those that like using " yoruba muslims or christians" to cause division.

There are pictures of those that were killed or do you have a contrary report?

ChrisKels:
The bolded sums it all.


Now tell me, where do you think he fits in?

Saka already has more assists than all the SE players and you are asking where he would fit in?

Isahalbash:
According to what you set ur mind to believe right...

People can actually see for themselves

Edopesin:
His Facebook page

How can he announce it before his club?