AS Roma academy appoints former Flying Eagles coach as Technical Director

Veteran tactician John Obuh may have picked up his most challenging job to date after the Italian giants picked him as the man to direct the vision of the club’s academy in the country

Former Golden Eaglets head coach John Obuh has been appointed as the Technical Director of AS Roma Academy, Abuja.

Announcing in a statement released on Monday in Ilorin, the club’s country manager Robinson Adakosa said Obuh’s experience locally and globally, as well as his technical know-how, was a crucial factor in choosing him among several others who jostled for the top job.

The statement read in part: “It was easy for us to pick Obuh among numerous candidates for the job because we believe he possessed the quality to drive the vision of our academy.

“The kids and other staff will have a lot to learn from him because we believe that he has seen it all as far as football is concerned, not only in Nigeria but globally.

“We believe that this new step is a bold statement that AS Roma Academy, Abuja, is here to source for young football talents.”

After a distinguished playing career that saw him wear the colours of Abiola Babes, Julius Berger, Enugu Rangers, Enyimba International FC of Aba, and Udoji United, Obuh took up a coaching career.

Obuh has since handled top clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League, including Kwara United FC, Akwa United FC of Uyo, Niger Tornadoes FC, Enugu Rangers, and Sharks FC.

The 61-year-old gaffer’s profile shot through the roof in the Nigerian football space after he guided the Golden Eaglets to finish runners-up at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by Nigeria. His Emmanuel Sanni-inspired team lost to Switzerland in the title decider.

Obuh also guided a Flying Eagles team, comprising Abdullahi Shehu and Olanrewaju Kayode, to a third-place finish at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in 2013.