Former Nigerian forward Daniel Amokachi has been appointed as the head coach at Finnish club, JS Hercules on a one year contract.
The club’s confirmed the former Olympic champion and Former Everton striker’s appointment on their website jshercules.com, in a statement which reads: “Hercules football club has signed an agreement with former Nigerian national team player and coach Daniel Amokachi. The head coach of the previous season Pekka Haaranen will continue as assistant coach. Amokachi’s agreement with Hercules is one year,” the club stated.
Amokachi, nicknamed the Bull by the Super Eagles fans, enjoyed an illustrious career as a player. He played in the World Cup for the Eagles in USA 1994, following his exploits at the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia, where he helped his team to become African champions that year. He was also part of Nigeria’s Olympic gold medal winning team two years later in Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996.
The 43 year-old was the assistant coach to former Eagles teammate Stephen Keshi when the pair led the Nigerian team to lift the continent’s prestige cup in South Africa in 2013 and the last coaching job for the former Everton and Besiktas player was a short spell with Nigeria Professional Football League side, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, which ended abruptly barely few weeks after the celebrated move.
Hercules, who are based in Oulu, Finland, were recently promoted to the Finnish second tier and will hope for more upward swing under their new coach, Amokachi. He will lead the newly promoted side when the season begins and he is expected to bring his experience to the fore.
The club’s chairman, Juho Syrjä shared the his club’s delight in landing some one with Amokachi’s experience. Stressing they are proud to have the former Super Eagles star who played at the highest level.
“We are proud to work with him, as even in Finland Amokachi is well-known. He will bring new insight to our team because he has seen it all during his career, “ Syrjä said.
Anticipating the enormity of the challenge that lies ahead, the former Nigerian International said on:
“It is certainly an adventure and a big change for me. I take this is a great challenge. The team is young and passionate. I’m looking forward to working with the players.”
According to club’s chairman, Juho Syrjä, the Delicacy is proud to have the former Super Eagles star who played at the highest level.
“We are proud to work with him, as even in Finland Amokachi is well-known. He will bring new insight to our team because he has seen it all during his career, “ Syrjä said.
