From fan to boss – Plateau United's bold gamble on Yakubu devotee who wants to build stubborn team

Nigerian Premier Football League club makes shock managerial appointment, naming a known Yakubu Aiyegbeni admirer as their new head coach ahead of the new season.

In a bold move ahead of the new Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) season, Plateau United have announced a fresh era with the appointment of a new head coach, Oluwasola Adegun, who is deeply inspired by Nigerian legend Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

From shaping talents at Barcelona, Roma and Sporting Lagos academies to now taking charge of one of Nigerian League's top clubs, Adegun's rise signals a fresh direction for the former NPFL champions.

Adegun, a former Sporting Lagos boss, was unveiled via the club’s official social media channels, signalling the start of ambitious plans for the Jos-based club.

Speaking in a club video about the players and icons who inspired him, Adegun fondly recalled his admiration for Nigerian legend Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

“I was a huge fan of [Yakubu] Aiyegbeni when he was playing for Everton,” Adegun said. “I liked a lot what he represented for Nigeria at that point. And a lot of the superstars from the country who have done it at the highest level.”

Yakubu, famed for his physical presence and clinical finishing, remains one of Nigeria’s most celebrated strikers and a source of inspiration for many young Nigerian players and coaches.

Adegun’s acknowledgement of Yakubu reflects a desire to infuse that same spirit and determination into Plateau United.

On his vision for the club, Adegun laid out clear ambitions: “We want to build a club that is rooted in excellence, a club built to perform, connected to Plateau, Plateau indigenes and fans of the club. We want to become a reference for the rest of Nigeria.”

He continued, “We want to excite, we want to be solid. We want to create a balanced team, one that is very effective going forward, creating chances and converting them. We want a team that is resilient, strong, stubborn team and difficult to beat. We want a competitive, balanced and attacking team.”

The appointment is viewed as a strategic move by the Plateau State government, the club’s owner, to build on last season’s seventh-place finish and push Plateau United back toward the top tiers of Nigerian football.

Experts see Adegun’s youth-focused coaching pedigree as a perfect fit for the club’s long-term plan to develop talent and become a model NPFL institution.

Adegun’s ability to translate his philosophy into results and rekindle Plateau United’s competitive edge with a team inspired by Nigerian greats like Yakubu Aiyegbeni will be followed with keen interest as the NPFL resumes later this month.

About Yakubu Aiyegbeni

Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who spoke to Flashscore recently, is one of Nigeria’s most iconic footballers, known for his powerful style as a forward and his successful spells in England’s Premier League, notably with Everton.

Over a prolific career, Yakubu scored consistently and represented Nigeria in multiple Africa Cup of Nations and World Cups.

Revered for his strength, goal-scoring prowess, and professionalism, he remains an inspiration for Nigerian players and coaches aiming to reach the highest levels of the game.

Olusola Adegun’s admiration for Yakubu signals a desire to evoke that same spirit of excellence and resilience in Plateau United’s journey ahead.