Ndubuisi Egbo Stays Upbeat Despite FK Tirana Sack

Nigerian coach Ndubuisi Egbo has insisted he has “no regrets or disappointments” after he was dismissed by Albanian side KF Tirana on Friday.

Former goalkeeper Egbo, 47, played for Tirana and won the league as a player before repeating the feat as coach when he led the club to their first league title in ten years in July.

The feat saw the Nigerian become the first African to win a European league title as well the first to coach a team in UEFA’s inter club competitions in the Champions League and Europa League.

But that has not stopped Tirana from dismissing the Nigerian from his position just two games into the season with Tirana in fifth place after a win and a loss.

The club said the decision had been “taken due to poor performances in the last matches” and also thanked Egbo for “his dedication and title success last season”.

Reacting to his dismissal, Egbo chose to focus on his history making achievements and thanked the club for the opportunity afforded him whilst insisting he departs with no ill-feellings or regrets.

“I would like to thank the club for the opportunity to serve, which helped me become the first African to win a European title and end up managing in the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League,” Egbo told BBC Africa Sport.

“I don’t have any regrets or disappointment because I gave the maximum and the team did likewise, so I remain grateful to God for what we achieved and accomplished together.

“To the fans for their incredible and overwhelming support towards me and the team, I am grateful.

“The players for their wonderful and positive spirit all through our campaign last season, I say kudos to them all.

“Both those who made big impact and those with little impact, all of them as a team made it to happen with faith in God almighty. For now there is no regrets but grateful to all.”

Egbo who the Albanian league, the cup and Super Cup in three years as a player with KF Tirana was particularly proud of his time as coach, insisting that his history at the club will stand for all time.

“It doesn’t happen by mistake that we pulled together and surprised the journalists who had written the team off,” said Egbo.

“I know it’s impossible to erase the history we created. For me as the first Nigerian, African to win a title in Europe. Creating more history by taking my team to Europe’s top two continental competitions cannot be erased.

“I know there are great days ahead in life. Better is not good enough, I believe the best is yet to come.”

In an itinerant playing career, Egbo turned out for the likes of NITEL Vasco da Gama in Nigeria’s southeast, NEPA and Julius Berger in the southwest, before moving abroad to play for Egypt’s Al-Masry with whom he won the FA Cup there in 1998.

He also featured for the Super Eagles and was part of Nigeria’s squad to consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in 2000 and 2002.