Ex-Super Eagles star appointed coach at Belgian club

The former Sporting Charleroi forward has joined a Belgian club as an assistant coach

Joseph Akpala has been appointed an assistant coach at Belgian club, KV Kortrijk.

The Belgian club made the announcement on its official website on Friday.

“For Jimmy Hempte it is a return to the familiar nest. Jimmy came to KV Kortrijk as a player in 2005. He made the advance to the first division and was a basic player in the team that won the title in the second division in 2008. After achieving play-off 1 in 2010, he left for Roda JC in the Eredivisie after 5 seasons and 145 matches for KVK.

“Joseph Akpala started his Belgian striker career at Sporting Charleroi, where he won the top scorer title in 2008. He then scored 56 goals in 168 games for Club Brugge. After passages in Germany and Turkey, Akpala was also active in Belgium at KV Oostende,” the club said in a statement. 

https://twitter.com/kvkofficieel/status/1570683766422802434?s=21&t=dvmxvPuiCytgJxsEiFVSoQ

“Today Jimmy & Joseph strengthen the staff of Adnan Custovic as assistant trainers, after the departure of Bart Meert & Damien Januel.

“The full technical staff now consists of: Adnan Custovic (T1), Joseph Akpala (assistant), Jimmy Hempte (assistant), Gunter Van Handenhoven (assistant), Gérard Lifondja (physical coach), Patrick Deman (goalkeeper coach) & Jelmer Platteeuw (video analyst)

“Welcome, Joseph & Jimmy!”

Akpala scored one goal for Nigeria in an international friendly match against France in 2009.

The 36-year-old former Club Brugge forward thrived in the Belgian league and is expected to contribute his quota to the development of players at the club.