12 in race for Warri Wolves, Delta Queens’ coaching job

Barely three days after Delta State government dissolved the management board of the state-owned football clubs, Warri Wolves and Delta Queens FC, 12 candidates have begun intense lobby to coach the teams.

The dissolution was carried out on Wednesday evening following what a source in the Sports Commission described as ‘unproductive’ outing by the two clubs last season. Warri Wolves is presently preparing to play in the 2024/2025 Nigeria National League season and Delta Queens is also gearing up to participate in the Nigeria Women Football League.

Though, a new management is expected to be constituted soon for both clubs to reposition them ahead of the upcoming season, The Guardian learnt, on Friday, that 12 candidates have started the lobby to handle the technical crew.

While the Director-General of Delta Sports Commission, Festus Ohwojero, informed The Guardian on Thursday night that eight coaches have applied for the coaching job, another official of the Commission revealed on Friday that the numbers had increased to 12.

“The number of coaches seeking to handle the technical crew of both Warri Wolves and Delta Queens has increased to 12. I am sure the number will still go up by next week,” the official said.

Delta Queens, which came into existence shortly after Chief James Ibori became Governor of Delta State in 1999, was among the leading clubs in Nigeria winning major trophies including the Super Six and FA Cup.

It was learnt that a former coach of the national U20 women team, Peter Dedevbo, is already being considered to head Delta Queens FC. He was part of the Super Falcons technical crew to the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup in China. Dedevbo was later moved to the Women U20 team, Falconets, which he led to two FIFA World Cup competitions.

Former Super Falcons top striker, Vera Okolo, may be part of the new coaching crew for Delta Queens FC.

It was not clear, on Friday, when the Sports Commission will conduct interview for the 12 coaches.

Meanwhile, in his bid to give football a befitting treatment in the state, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is said to have ordered the re-construction of Warri Stadium.

The stadium hosted series of international events after it was constructed by the Ibori administration, including the African Women Championships (AWC) twice in 2002 and 2006. But the complex has since become a shadow of its old self forcing Warri Wolves to play its home matches outside the city.

Oborevwori, a sports lover, is said to have put in motion, work to bring Warri Stadium back to life.

The Guardian learnt that construction giant, Julius Berger, is among the companies tipped to re-construct the stadium.