Napoleon Aluma may return as Warri Wolves’ coach

One of the longest-serving coaches in Nigerian football, Napoleon Aluma, may have been appointed to lead Delta State clubside, Warri Wolves.

Aluma, a respected football tactician, who was trained in Brazil, has traversed the nooks and crannies of the country rendering his services to clubs.

A former coach of Invincible Leopards FC of Warri, Aluma, who was trained at the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Lagos, has participated in FIFA Coaching Clinics and also holds a CAF ‘B’ License. He was part of the maiden FIFA Women U-19 Championship in Canada in 2002, and was at Olympique Marseille, France, for two weeks training in 2008.

Though his appointment as the new coach of Warri Wolves FC has not been officially announced, The Guardian learnt, yesterday that Aluma was picked ahead of others for the coaching job due to his years of experience on the job.
He was a former assistant coach of Enyimba FC as well as Sunshine Stars of Akure. Aluma recently took his coaching exploit to Ghana, where he led one of the country’s clubs to success in their domestic league.

In 2017, Aluma was appointed coach of Warri Wolves to replace former head coach, Clifford Chukuwma, who parted ways with the team, but the atmosphere was ‘not conducive’ for him then following alleged interference from some top government officials.

A source in Delta Sports Commission hinted yesterday, that Aluma, who was part of the success story of the defunct Ufuoma Babes FC of Warri, would be formally unveiled to members of the public soon.

While Aluma is picked to ticker Warri Wolves, Coach Peter Dedevbo, former coach of the National U20 women’s team, Falconets, has been engaged for Delta Queens FC of Asaba. Like Aluma, Dedevbo had handled Delta Queens in the past, leading the club to win the Super Six title in Umuahia, Abia State in 2003 as well as the FA Cup in Abuja in 2004.

According a Delta FA official, the state Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is determined to change the face of the two clubs.

“Both Warri Wolves and Delta Queens FC are household names not just in Nigeria but across Africa and beyond.  For such clubs with high pedigree to be struggling despite the financial support from the government is unacceptable. All hands must be on deck to save and turn around the fortune of the two clubs.”