Nigeria Professional Football League side Sunshine Stars have dismissed their head coach Duke Udi following allegations of “insubordination and gross misconduct” against the former Super Eagles star.
Udi, known for his strong temperament has been in charge of the Owena Whales since July 2017 but has now been relieved of his duties after twelve games into the 2017/18 league season.
Udi was conducting Tuesday evening’s training session with his players when a release from Ondo State’s Ministry of Sports headed by Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye was circulated that the former Giwa FC handler has been asked to leave.
“Following a letter received from the management board of Ondo State Football Agency on misconduct and insubordination of the head coach of Sunshine Stars Duki Udi (-sic) of a CAF Licence C category,
“The management board and the Ministry of Youth and Sports management at a joint meeting today (Tuesday) agreed that coach Duki Udi (-sic) should step aside with effect from today 13th March and the Technical Director of the team, Coach Henry Abiodun with CAF licence A should lead the team,” read the ministry statement.
Udi’s wards lost 0-1 at strugglers Go-Round FC on Sunday in Omoku and were already preparing for their next test, a home clash with Yobe Desert Stars in Akure.
Sunshine Stars are placed 17th on the current NPFL log on goals difference despite having three points docked them due to crowd violence.
Udi becomes the third coaching casualty of the league season after Niger Tornadoes and more recently Kwara United relieved their head coaches of their appointments.
Udi’s replacement, Abiodun has been in and out of the Sunshine Stars head coach set-up in the past seasons. On March 3, 2016, Abiodun was fired alongside then head coach Samson Unuanel for what was termed “internal squabbling” among the duo.
