By Abdul Momoh
Introduction
Depriye Teibowei, is a Nigerian coach, affectionately known as the “computer” of Nigerian football. In this interview with The Flash News, the coach shares the journey of his illustrious career in football, from his beginnings in Ajegunle to his successes as a coach in Nigeria. Teibowei who said he is available for offers discusses his experiences, views on the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), his achievements with Bayelsa United FC, and offers advice for upcoming coaches in Nigeria
Where and how did you begin your football career?
It all started and began in Ajegunle. Ajegunle has also produced so many great payers, like Samson Siasia, Tarila Okorowanta, the names are so many. Most of us grew to become the pillars of the national teams till date
How did you find yourself in coaching?
I love football since I was born and I became active when I was discovered to play for the Badagry division in the Lagos State Sports Festival in 1979 while playing for Gaskiya Colleg from where I graduated into the Lagos State Academicals . Thereafter I played for St Gregory,s College in Obalende along side Tarila Okorowanta and so many good players. Furthermore, I played for YSFON alongside Paul Okoko, Femi Olukonmi, Late Christopher Anigala, Tajudeen Disu, Andrew Owei, and Tarila Okorowanta. We were the first set to win an international youth championship for Nigeria in 1980 in Gothenburg -Sweden and later became reliable members of the Nigeria Junior national team – the flying Eagles and the senior national team called the green Eagles under Coach Festis Onigbinde
What’s your impression on the standard of the NPFL?
In the NPFL 22/23 season, I got a query from the Npfl because I made a comment about referees. They have now improved on that aspect. The NPFL under Owumi my good friend when we were playing
. He has done very well together with his team to make sure that refereeing and the infrastructure aspect of the league has improved.
You rescued Bayelsa United FC twice and got them promoted, can you shed more light on this?
I am an indigene of Bayelsa and was brought from London to come and rescue the team and I did just that. I appreciate the government, we were rewarded for everything we achieved for the team but we need to be respected and given the chance to contribute more. I took the team to the NPFL twice from relegation, I won the FA Cup as an NNL club, the first time Bayelsa state is winning that trophy.
Is it true that you turned down lots of lucrative offers including offers from Benin Republic?
Yes, it’s true. I had to, my family consideration comes first. It is not that easy to leave my base, unless I have a lucrative and attractive offer that will entice me.
Rate football development in Bayelsa, Nigeria and Africa
We are developing .It is always good to get the right information when trying to catch up with the rest of the world, infrastructural development like supply of electricity, water, good healthcare system are important. That’s what obtains in Europe, people are also suffering there but they enjoy these basic infrastructures”
In your own assessment, would you say you are a successful Coach?
My coaching career is still on, I am not done yet. I will still be available and relevant in the next ten years. So far, with what I have achieved in Nigeria football as a Coach, I can confidently say I am a successful coach
What is your advice for upcoming coaches in Nigeria?
In life, you must have determination, discipline, and seek knowledge. You can be the best player in the world and the worse coach if you don’t have these three things. When Diego Maradona coached Argentina, he failed and had to leave coaching. Upcoming coaches should imbibe the right attitude, commitment, be straight forward and sincere in every dealings. Don’t collect money from player and ignore better ones”
As a UK trained Coach, are there similarities between Nigeria football and that of the United Kingdom?
Football is a universal game, played on the same pitches. It’s the management approach that differs, welfare of players and Coach, and provision of basic infrastructures are key. There a lot of work to be done in Nigeria as far as football is concern. Sponsorship is low, because of economic instability, a lot of people are scared to invest in sports. Thanks to the owner of Remo Stars who have raised the standard by providing good infrastructures, My Governor in Bayelsa has also approved a construction of a standard stadium which can compete with the ‘nest if champions’ in Uyo”
People refer to you as “computer” what brought about the name?
The name came up when I was playing with Julius Berger FC then, we had this German Coach who was so impressed with the way I scored a goal, he said ‘this is a computer goal’. So everyone started calling me that name
Are you available if invited to Coach the national teams or any NPFL clubs?
“Sincerely speaking, I would prefer the national teams, would be the easiest for me. I have made efforts to join the national teams but I haven’t been lucky yet”
What is your take on coaches who go after the jobs of their colleagues who are still under contract?
Simply put, those coaches are idiots. They lack character and should have nothing to do with coaching in the first place. Such thing should be legally prohibited and enforced by the coaches association. It’s the hight of stupidity and wickedness to go after the job of a fellow Coach who still has a contract
What are your plans for retirement after football, are you going into politics?
No, I’m not going into politics. I’m remaining within football circle. I would love to become a football analyst and an adviser on football to any government
Rate the governor of Bayelsa State in the area of sports development?
The governor was commissioner for sports in the state, it was during his time as commissioner that Bayelsa United FC won the league and the team went into relegation after he left. So far, Governor Douye Diri has done well, aside football, there are other sports and the state have done so well. I will rate the governor more than 90 percent, he has done very well as far as sports is concerned”
Is any of your children into sports?
“I have two Boys who are studying to become an engineers and lecturers. I know they have my skills and I’m watching them keenly to guide them accordingly”
