Ex-Partizan Belgrade Defender Joins FC Ebedei As Assistant Coach

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Former Nigeria international, Ifeanyi Innocent Emeghara has returned to his youth team FC Ebedei as part of the Oliseh Boys’ coaching crew.

President of the Nationwide League One (NLO) club, Barrister Churchill Oliseh while expressing his delight on the development said: “We’re glad to announce Emeghara as a member of our coaching staff.

“Years ago Emeghara was a product of our youth programme before his transfer to Europe, and as it’s tradition with FC Ebedei our back room staff are always made up of our former players.

“Looking at his pedigree as a player who has featured for teams in Europe and in UEFA’s inter club competition, him joining our coaching crew will definitely add value to the team,” he said.

Emeghara played as a defender, equally played at the left and right flank.

After failing to find a club in Italy, Emeghara arrived to Partizan Belgrade for a trial in January 2003, accompanied by compatriot Oladipupo Martins.

They were both eventually assigned to affiliated club Teleoptik.

After spending 18 months with the Optičari, Emeghara was promoted to the Partizan first team in June 2004, penning his first professional contract on a four-year deal.

He was given the number 16 shirt, which was previously worn by fellow countryman and Super Eagles legend Taribo West.

In his first season with the Crno-beli, Emeghara established himself as the team’s first-choice left-back, making 39 appearances in all competitions, as Partizan Belgrade won the league title with an unbeaten record and reached the knockout stage of the UEFA Cup.

In January 2006, Emeghara was transferred to Romanian club Politehnica Timișoara on a three-year deal.

In June 2007, Emeghara moved to Steaua București for a reported transfer fee of €1.2 million.

His time with the Roș-albaștrii was plagued with injuries, particularly to his knees, causing him to make only 58 competitive appearances over the course of five seasons.

In February 2013, after being out of contract for a year, Emeghara signed with Azerbaijani side Gabala, where he retired.

Emeghara made his international debut for Nigeria on 17 November 2007, playing full 90 minutes in a 1–0 friendly loss against Australia.

He was named in Berti Vogts’ 23-man squad for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), remaining an unused substitute during the tournament.

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