ABS FC appoints Yusuf Salihu as Head Coach on one-year deal

The Abubakar Bukola Saraki(ABS) Ilorin Football Club today unveiled Coach Yusuf Salihu as the new gaffer of the club ahead of the 2025/2026 season of the Nigeria second tier league, Nigeria National League(NNL).

The unveiling ceremony took place at the Taiwo Awoniyi Media Centre at the George Innih Stadium in Ilorin on Tuesday.

Coach Salihu replaced Anthony Encho who joined the team during the mid season of the last NNL campaign.

According to the Director of Football, ABS FC, Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka, Coach Yusuf was considered among 27 other coaches that applied for the job based on his antecedents and pedigree in the game.

Yusuf, an indigenous coach was appointed on the heels of the achievements of another indigenous coach, Tunde Sanni who led Kwara United to their first ever President Federation Cup.

Coach Yusuf, who formerly worked with the team as a Chief Coach and recently as the Head the Technical team of its Player Talent Development Programme boasts of a rich credentials, including the CAF-B coaching licence certificate.

A former Air Force officer, Coach Yusuf has in the past worked as a Coach at Sunshine Stars FC of Akure, Yarmalight FC of Gombe and Apex Krane FC of Delta State amongst others.

The main target given to the new gaffer is to secure NPFL promotion for the team.