•Says we won’t let him go

By Tony Ubani, who was in Enugu

Technical Director of Nigeria Professional League winners, Rangers International of Enugu, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu has warned other clubs in the NPFL to steer clear from coach Imama Amapakabo.

Amapakabo led Rangers International to a glorious routing of El Kanemi 4 – 0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Sunday to break a 32-year wait for the league trophy for the Antelopes.

The victory which was watched by a record 70,000 cheering fans also brought to an end the contract of Amapakabo, thereby making him to become a beautiful bride to the highest bidder in the League.

Coach Christian Chukwu, former Rangers International Skipper and Coach

But an overwhelmed Chukwu said they were aware of the contract expiration of their heroic coach but noted that they would chase out potential bidders from tempting him away.

“We’re aware that his contract expires at the end of this victory but we are not going to let him go. “He is a fantastic coach who has made history for himself and the club. When the former coach, Kelechi Emeteole quit, we resisted the temptation to recruit another coach. We gave Imama the opportunity to move up. The players and management gave him their support.

Through a dint of hardwork and dedication of players and the total support of our loving Governor Ugwuanyi, the rest is history. We won’t let him go. He is a beautiful bride and many suitors will come knocking on his door. We beg him not to go.

We plead that he stays with us. This club is like a family. He belongs here. God has crowned him as a champion. We want him to stay so that together we can make history again”, Chukwu practically begged.

The celebration was still on but Chukwu decided to look ahead to block what he said belongs to them.

Chukwu, the face of Rangers and former skipper of the club who led them to six League wins and also captained the Super Eagles to win the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980 and coached the team to a ‘golden bronze outing in the Nations Cup spoke to us exclusively. Stay with us for all the details on our pages.