The board of Abia Comets Football Club has formally authorized the departure of Technical Adviser Dipreye Teibowei following a disappointing string of results that failed to meet the club’s seasonal expectations. This decision, announced in Umuahia, comes as a direct consequence of a performance-based ultimatum delivered to the coach prior to the commencement of the second stanza of the 2025/2026 Nigeria National League (NNL) season. Despite the transition, the club has committed to a graceful exit strategy, confirming that Teibowei will remain on the payroll and continue to receive his full monthly salary through the end of the current campaign.
The catalyst for this immediate managerial change was the team’s lackluster performance during Matchday 12 of the NNL Southern Conference A. Playing at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba, the “Comets” suffered a demoralizing 2-0 defeat to Sunshine Stars, a result that management deemed “unavoidable” in terms of triggering the pre-existing ultimatum. Media Officer Emmanuel Chinedu, speaking on behalf of the Umuahia-based side, emphasized that the shift in leadership is a necessary step to salvage the club’s standing and restore competitive momentum for the remainder of the year.
“Following a run of poor and unsatisfactory results, the Management of Abia Comets Football Club of Umuahia, says it has approved the stepping aside of the club’s Technical Adviser, Coach Dipreye Teibowei till further notice. The move which is sequel to a 2-match ultimatum issued to Coach Timipreye before the resumption of the 2nd phase of the on-going 2025/2026 Nigeria National league season .”
In a swift move to stabilize the technical department, Monday Eguavoen has been elevated to lead the first team for the duration of the 2025/2026 season. Eguavoen, who is the elder brother of former Super Eagles manager Augustine Eguavoen, brings a wealth of experience to the role and is expected to implement immediate tactical adjustments. His primary objective will be to steer the club away from the lower rungs of the Southern Conference A table, starting with the upcoming high-stakes encounter against Inter Lagos at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
“A statement by the Media Officer of Abia Comets, Emmanuel Chinedu and made available to Journalists in Umuahia said that the removal became unavoidable shortly after the Abia Comets’ disappointing Nigeria National League, NNL, Southern Conference A Matchday 12 loss to Sunshine Stars in Aba. He announced that Monday Eguavoen has been appointed to take charge of Abia Comets till the end of the current season. The Umuahia team however said that Coach Dipreye Teibowei who was relieved of duty as Technical Adviser would continue to recieve his salary till the end of the season. The club added that the change in technical leadership was with immediate effect.”
The restructuring of the coaching staff takes effect immediately, with the board urging the players and supporters to rally behind the new leadership. While Teibowei’s “stepping aside” marks the end of his active tactical influence this season, the management’s decision to honor his financial contract reflects a professional approach to an otherwise difficult sporting period. All eyes in Umuahia are now on Eguavoen to see if he can transform the “Comets” into a cohesive unit capable of finishing the season on a high note.
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