Kennedy Boboye’s departure from Sunshine Stars after a nine-month tenure has sparked allegations of interference from the club’s management.
However, the club’s president, Bamidele Ologunloluwa, dismissed the claim as a preemptive move by the coach following a string of unimpressive results in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
In a statement by Sunshine Stars’ Media Manager, Femi Atolagbe, Ologunloluwa said there was never a time he or any member of the club’s management directly interfered in the coach’s job.
Boboye, who announced his resignation on social media immediately after Sunshine Stars suffered a 1-0 defeat against Heartland FC on match day 11 of the NPFL, cited ongoing interference in his role as a major reason for quitting.
“While his resignation is accepted, we wish him success in his future endeavours,” Ologunloluwa responded.
“It must be known that the duty of any football club management is to ensure things are done in line with the team’s set targets, and if not, management must speak out.
“It is also known that coaches may favour certain players, even when they are not the club’s best. However, this must not be detrimental to the team’s aspirations.
“As a manager familiar with his players and noticing Sunshine Stars deviating from its goals, all I did was subtly advise against favouring players not adding value to the team, while dropping those in good form.
“The talented CHAN Eagles invitee Promise Awosanmi would have been dropped permanently by Boboye, but I advised against it. Those who attended Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri would attest to the youngster’s remarkable performance despite Sunshine Stars’ loss.
“It was fear of the unknown that made Boboye announce his resignation as the club’s Technical Adviser; he walked away in 2015, so this is not the first time he has deliberately left us midway into the season.
“It is also preposterous for Boboye to claim sole credit for avoiding relegation last season, alleging lack of support from management. Sunshine Stars would not have survived without necessary logistical support from both management and government.”
Sunshine Stars have lost three consecutive matches and are 14th on the NPFL log with 13 points, scoring 8 goals and conceding 13 in 11 matches.