FK Tirana manager Ndubuisi Egbo is hopeful his success in the outgoing Albania season will spur other African coaches to success.
The former Super Eagles goalkeeper on Sunday steered Tirana to their 25th Superliga title, their first in 11 years, after second-place Kukesi were beaten 1-0 at Vllaznia, thus surrendering their title chase to the new champions, with two games remaining before the end of the season.
He is the first black and African coach to win a major European league, as well as the first African to qualify a team for the prestigious UEFA Champions League.
This season, Egbo and his team achieved a seven-game winning streak, as well as 14 consecutive games without defeats. In addition, the Nigerian technician will try to scoop the double when Tirana battle Teuta in the Albania Cup final on August 2.
Amidst recent complaints about coaching jobs discrimination by several black managers, an elated Egbo believes his performance will open doors for his fellow African coaches globally.
“Words cannot describe our emotions right now, taking into consideration the road to winning this championship. It can only be God Almighty that made it possible. All glory to him,” the former national team keeper, who won silver and bronze at the 2000 and 2002 AFCON tournaments, told The PUNCH.
“I feel elated, it’s yet to sink in, what is happening. I have been told that it’s a record in the African continent, what has just happened, as the first African coach to win the league championship with a European club. It’s a victory for Nigeria and victory for all African coaches and I hope it will open ways for our coaches to be given the opportunity they deserve. (Punch)