How I Become Albanian Club Head Coach, League Champion - Ex-Eagles Goalkeeper

How I Become Albanian Club Head Coach, League Champion - Ex-Eagles Goalkeeper

By Niyi Busari

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper and Head Coach, Tirana FC of Albania, Emmanuel Egbo has revealed why the club chose him to lead the club to glory, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Emmanuel Egbo led Tirana to emerge the 2019/20 Albanian Super Lig champions, becoming the first African coach to achieve the feat.

The African Nations Cup silver medalist while answering questions on popular Nigeria Sports WhatsApp forum, NSM, said that his mentality, character and philosophy were the reason Tirana chose him from goalkeeping coach to become the head coach.

"When I left the club (Tirana) and they saw what I was doing with other teams in the course of my goalkeeping coaching career and I was invited also to come because they know that I have the mentality, character, personality and philosophy that the team need and I was given the opportunity from the goalkeeping coach to the assistant coach before they asked me to take over as the head coach.

He advised that a man who aimed at the top in his career must be of good character and behavior to achieve what he wants out of career.

"When you work in a certain company or organization you need to do your optimum best. Be a man of good character and good behaviour to leave your footstep on a sand of time. This is exactly what I did when I played for the team."

Born on July 25, 1973 in Aba, Nigeria, Emmanuel Egbo was part of Nigeria Super Eagles to the AFCON in 2000 co-hosted by Nigeria and Ghana and 2002 in Mali. The former Julius Berger, El-Masry of Egypt and Moroka Swallow of South Africa goalkeeper joined Tirana in 2001.

In 2010, his former club in the Albanian league, Baylis Ballish appointed him as goalkeeping coach.

Following his superb performance with the club, On 17 October 2015, after the sacking of
Shkëlqim Muça following 1–1 home draw against Flamurtari Vlorë , Emmanuel Egbo and one other assistant of Muça were appointed temporarily the new managers of KF Tirana.

Having won the Albanian SuperLig as player, Emmanuel Egbo becomes the first African player to win the league as player and coach and also the first African coach to lead a European club to a Uefa Champions League outing.