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]

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 (1972-02-24) 24 February 1972 (age 52)
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

Coaching career

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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

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Individual

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References

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  1. ^ "Ekiti United Gaffer, Ayeni Joins Sunshine Stars On NPFL Rescue Mission".
  2. ^ "NPFL: Ayeni leads Sunshine Stars to first win in five months".
  3. ^ "NPFL: Deji Ayeni unveiled at Akwa United".
  4. ^ "NPFL: Akwa United unveils Ayodeji Ayeni as new coach".
  5. ^ "Ekiti United Gaffer, Ayeni Joins Sunshine Stars On NPFL Rescue Mission".
  6. ^ "Akwa Utd Unveil Ayodeji Ayeni as New Head Coach".
  7. ^ "NPFL: Kennedy Boboye quits Akwa United".
  8. ^ "Akwa United can end the season on high note — Deji Ayeni".
  9. ^ "Akwa 1 Rivers 1: Ayeni, Eguma delighted with shared points".
  10. ^ "NPFL Round-Up: Ayeni records first victory with Akwa United".
  11. ^ "Coach Ayodeji Ayeni dedicates first managerial award to God, Akwa United family".