Akwa United Football Club has confirmed the resignation of its head coach, Muhammed Babaganaru, following the team’s 1-1 draw against Bendel Insurance on Monday night. The resignation comes after a challenging season for the club, which currently sits at the bottom of the league table after 16 rounds of matches.
In a statement released by the club’s media director, Mfon Patrick, the management expressed their gratitude to Babaganaru for his contributions during his tenure, particularly last season when he played a key role in helping the club avoid relegation.
Akwa United’s chairman, Elder Paul Bassey, offered his thoughts on the resignation, acknowledging the coach’s professionalism and track record. “In football tradition around the world, when results are not forthcoming, it’s the coaches who often bear the brunt of the poor form, regardless of their previous successes. Muhammed Babaganaru is a good coach with an extensive career in Nigerian football, having won trophies with several clubs, but things simply didn’t work out this season,” said Bassey.
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He continued, “He joined us last season and made a significant contribution in helping us beat the drop, and we will always be grateful for that. However, our current position on the log does not reflect his hard work. Akwa United is a club with a rich history and pedigree, and struggling in the relegation zone is unacceptable. We must take action to turn things around.”
Bassey further emphasized that Babaganaru’s resignation is not a panacea for the club’s struggles, stating, “We are not satisfied with the performance of our players, and we are already planning to strengthen the team during the mid-season transfer window in January.”
He also highlighted Babaganaru’s character, saying, “He is a gentleman, hardworking, humble, and a true team player. It has been a pleasure working with him. We accept his resignation in good faith and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
In the interim, Akwa United’s team psychologist, Coach Ime Uko, will take on the role of Technical Adviser. Meanwhile, the assistant coaching staff, led by Coach Umar Abdullahi, will oversee the team’s day-to-day activities until a permanent head coach is appointed.
The club, which won the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) title in 2021 and has twice lifted the FA Cup, is currently in the relegation zone with 16 points from 16 games. Their record so far consists of four wins, four draws, and eight losses.
