All hail NPFL promotion specialist, Coach Aliyu Zubair
All hail NPFL promotion specialist, Coach Aliyu Zubair
Coach Aliyu Zubair has once again made history by promoting Elkanemi Warriors of Maiduguri back to the NPFL.
Earlier on Wednesday,June 12, The Borno State team secured the NPFL after defeating Sokoto United 4-1 in their last game of the NNL Super 8.
It was a fitting and crowning moment for the team who had an impressive season. They finished top of the NNL northern conference Group C to pick up the Super 8 ticket.
In 2020, Coach Zubair promoted Gombe United to the NPFL. He achieved the feat in the most similar way to that of Elkanemi Warriors- thus making history as one of the few Coaches who has made history in Nigeria football.
Aliyu stands out amongst his peers. Highly disciplined and tactical. He is a Coach of high standard and has proven his mettle in all fronts.
The Ilorin-born gaffer has distinguished himself as not only a football manager but as someone who likes to take up a new challenge and deliver his mandate.
Over the years, he has endeared himself to many due to his infectious work ethics and enviable track records.
Aliyu started his career at Kwara United Feeders and quickly earned a special recognition for promoting the team from the NLO 2 to NLO 1.
He would later be promoted to the position of assistant Coach in the Kwara United main team before he was later appointed as the Chief Coach of the team.
After his stint at Kwara United, he moved to Akwa United where he also served meritoriously in the Chief Coach capacity and won the FA cup.
Aliyu later served as the Technical Adviser of Wikki Tourist before joining Gombe United where he promoted the team back to NPFL and sustained the ticket throughout his stay.
As a man who loves to challenge stereotypes, Aliyu preferred the Elkanemi Warriors job at the beginning of the current football season despite many approaches from top sides.
His conviction was informed by his decision to give back to his former club where he plied his trade as footballer and also repeat his achievements of how he promoted Gombe United.
Even while he was tempted with other big offers during the course of the season, he kept his promise with the Borno State based side and has now delivered.
Here we are, he has done it again. A man of his word and actions. Elkanemi Warriors is back to the NPFL.
Aliyu's penchant and belief of encouraging and featuring young talents into his squad is one of his enduring attributes.
For Coach Aliyu, giving back to his society is also one of his core principles. He has helped catapulted many young players from his home State of Kwara to the National light.
Aliyu has now shifted focus to his team's President Federation Cup semi final clash against Kebbi United where he hopes to also pick up the final ticket and win the coveted FA title.
