Chairman of Akwa United, Paul Bassey, has confirmed that technical adviser of the club, Maurice Cooreman, has been handed an indefinite suspension.

“Yes, I can confirm that,” Bassey, a veteran journalist and FIFA/CAF Match Commissioner, said. “He was asked to step aside for now.”

Cooreman’s exit followed the club’s dwindling fortunes in the Nigeria Professional Football League which further took a dive Sunday after defending champions Enyimba ran out 1-0 winners in a match day 13 NPFL tie at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

*Cooreman

The defeat, courtesy of Christian Pyagbara’s 38th minute strike, brings to two Akwa United’s home defeats so far in the campaign.

The suspension may mark the end of the Belgian coach’s reign in the fold as subtle moves are already in gear to hire former Super Eagles captain and defender, Augustine Eguavoen, as his replacement. “There are suspicions along that line,” an official of the club said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on such issues.

“Eguavoen was at the stands when we played Enyimba on Sunday and that could lend credence to your question.”
Eguavoen coached Gombe United, a second tier Nigerian league side, in the last two seasons.