Former Bendel Insurance, Enugu Rangers, Heartland of Owerri and Lobi Stars of Makurdi coach Ufere Nwankwo will be laid to rest today (5th November, 2022) in his hometown.
Ufere was a 24-year-old bachelor working for the Post and Telecommunications Department (P&T) in Benin City, capital of then MidWest Region, later Bendel State and now Edo State when the civil war broke out in 1967.
Ufere hails from Ndiowu in Orumba North LGA of Anambra State. He was part of a select Mid-West football team travelling to Lagos for a Unity Cup championship when hostilities of the civil war began.
He relocated to his native home from Benin City where he lived major part of his life as a youth and adult.
Naturally, he joined the Biafran P&T and worked there until the end of the war.
After the war he teamed up with Coal City Flying Antelopes, Enugu Rangers where he shone brilliantly. In fact he shone like a million stars.
He won laurels with Rangers and after his playing career. Ufere took to coaching and indeed he impacted hugely on our domestic league and clubs thereby, producing top class footballers.
One of the trademarks of Ufere’s coaching styles is “loading the players” days to a game and allowing them to relax 24 hours to the game proper.
He doesn’t gel with lazy players. He pushes players to the very limit. You must give your 110% in training and in match situations if you must work with Ufere as a player.
Little wonder players who came through him excelled. His likes are few even as they are almost all gone.
Adieu Ufere Nwankwo. Rest in peace coachito. So long Mr. Loader.
Say us well to Stephen Keshi, Amodu Shuaibu, Godwin Etemike, Paul Hamilton, Chris Udemezue, Kashimawo Laloko, Matthias Obianika, Austin Ofokwu, Alfred Ekundina, Solomon Ogbeide, Joe Erico, Jossy Lad and Kelechi Emetoele among others. Adieu!!!
