Ayodeji Ayeni
 Nigerian football coach Ayodeji Ayeni at Godswill Akpabio Stadium on June 1, 2022 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ayodeji Alexander Ayeni | ||
| Date of birth | 24 February 1972 | ||
| Place of birth | Ilesha | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Central defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Akwa United (head coach) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1994–1997 | Concord F.C. | ||
| 1997–1998 | Bendel Insurance | ||
| 1998 | Doyin F.C. | ||
| 1998–2000 | Niger Tornadoes | ||
| 2000–2001 | Nepa | ||
| 2001–2004 | Kwara United | ||
| 2004–2005 | Kogi United | ||
| 2005–2006 | Crown | ||
| 2006–2008 | Osun United | ||
| 2009–2010 | East Riffa Club | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 2013–2016 | Prime FC | ||
| 2018–2019 | Cynosure F.C. | ||
| 2019–2021 | Ekiti United | ||
| 2021–2022 | Sunshine Stars[1][2] | ||
| 2022– | Akwa United[3] | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Ayodeji Ayeni (born 24 February 1972) is a Nigerian football coach and former player who is currently the head coach of Nigeria Professional Football League club Akwa United.[4]
Coaching career[edit]
Ayeni's first head coach role at a top-flight club came in June 2021, when he joined Sunshine Stars from Ekiti United who were in the NNL at the time.[5]
On 24 March 2022, Ayeni moved to Akwa United[6] to replace Kennedy Boboye, who had quit the club on 14 February 2022 after a poor run of results.[7] His first game as Akwa United boss, a Nigeria Professional Football League fixture against Rivers United at Godswill Akpabio Stadium on 2 April 2022, ended 1–1.[8][9] He recorded his first win as manager of the Uyo club with a 2–1 victory over Shooting Stars on 11 April 2022.[10]
Honours[edit]
Individual[edit]
- Nigeria Professional Football League Coach of the Month: April 2022[11]
References[edit]
- ^ "Ekiti United Gaffer, Ayeni Joins Sunshine Stars On NPFL Rescue Mission".
- ^ "NPFL: Ayeni leads Sunshine Stars to first win in five months".
- ^ "NPFL: Deji Ayeni unveiled at Akwa United".
- ^ "NPFL: Akwa United unveils Ayodeji Ayeni as new coach".
- ^ "Ekiti United Gaffer, Ayeni Joins Sunshine Stars On NPFL Rescue Mission".
- ^ "Akwa Utd Unveil Ayodeji Ayeni as New Head Coach".
- ^ "NPFL: Kennedy Boboye quits Akwa United".
- ^ "Akwa United can end the season on high note — Deji Ayeni".
- ^ "Akwa 1 Rivers 1: Ayeni, Eguma delighted with shared points".
- ^ "NPFL Round-Up: Ayeni records first victory with Akwa United".
- ^ "Coach Ayodeji Ayeni dedicates first managerial award to God, Akwa United family".