Abubakar Bukola Saraki Ilorin Football Club have re-appointed Cameroonian-born Encho Anthony Encho as the new head coach for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.
Encho comes in as a replacement to Coach Sani Sarduana who was asked to step aside after a not too impressive run in the first round of the league.
Speaking to the media shortly after his presentation at a special Breaking of fast meeting with kwara SWAN at the conference room of the Taiwo Awoniyi Sports media center/ SWAN sectariat on Monday, 10th March 2025, Coach Anthony Encho promised to guide the team to secure the playoffs spot for NPFL promotion at the end of the season.
“I was in ABS before I did 50% percent and I am back to do the remaining 50% to complete 100 percent, my first mission is to take the team to the Super Eight and promote the team to the NPFL
Every coach has its own philosophy, I want to believe in myself and in my players and what I impact on the player let me remind you that there is a team in Lagos that was down in the NPFL before but now they’re up there so I don’t want my player to be distracted or discouraged by their position I want them to have a positive mindset that they are going to the super Eight and by the Special grace of God we will achieve it”. Encho said.
The Cameroonian Coach was once the Technical Adviser of NNL side Crown FC Ogbomosho, he has also worked with NNL sides, Solution FC and Ijebu United FC while also handling some foreign based clubs such as Samui United Academy of Thailand and Tiger Soccer Academy Sharjah of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Coach Anthony Encho will work with Coach Saliu Aremu, Coach Salaudeen Adeyinka (Keshi) and coach Boyin Ayodele (Goalkeeper coach)
Director of football, Chief Alloy Chuwuemeka who represented the Chairman of ABS FC Mr Seni Saraki also appointed the son of the late former welfare officer of the club Joseph Igiri, Ikechukwu Igiri as his personal assistant on special duties.
He said the appointment was in fulfillment of the promise made to take care of his wife and family.
Chief Alloy Chuwuemeka applauded the club proprietor, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki for his continuous support over the years standing firm, While also showering encomium to the club Chairman Seni Saraki describing him as a passionate Football Administrator and youngest Professional Football Administrator in history across the globe also hailed the Kwara Football Association Chairman, Mallam Musa Idris Abuduliahi for his efforts towards the development of football in the state and his undying support to the club.
Kwara Football Association Chairman, Mallam Idris Musa Abdullahi, however affirmed that ABS FC remains the best no in terms of professionalism and talents development and growth, stressing that he is Happy to be a product of ABS FC
ABS Ilorin FC are currently placed seventh in the Conference B of the Nigeria National League (NNL) and will kick-off the second stanza of the ongoing 2024/2025 season with an away game against Gateway FC of Abeokuta on 21st March 2025.
