*Says he is open to National team coaching opportunity

Former Sporting Lagos handler, Coach Abdullahi Usman Biffo has reflected on his difficult spell with the team, admitting he failed to achieve the club’s objectives but insisting the experience helped him grow both professionally and personally.

Speaking during the Kwara SWAN Hard Talk held inside the Taiwo Awoniyi Media Center in Ilorin on Friday, May 1, 2026, Biffo opened up on the challenges he faced during his brief stint with the Lagos-based side, as he praised the commitment of the owner of the club, Shola Akinlade.

“If there is anybody I cherish most, it is the owner of Sporting Lagos. I really pity that man because he is ready to do everything,” Biffo said.

“Honestly, if I look at how much that man has put into that club, you will be surprised. He made me comfortable when I was with the club. I don’t know any club in Nigeria that can match what he is doing.”

The experienced tactician explained that he arrived at the club with only eight matches left to salvage their campaign, but admitted circumstances did not work in their favour.

“I came in the last eight games, tried what I could and that is how we have it. It’s part of being human. That doesn’t make me a failure forever; we keep trying,” he stated.

The former Kwara United gaffer also responded to criticism he received during his time at the club, particularly claims from some quarters that he was the worst coach in the NPFL that season.

“I read some articles where people said I was the worst coach in the NPFL that year. Yes, that is what they think and that was what they saw or observed, but winning isn’t the only yardstick to measure the success of a coach,” he said.

“Have you been to my training? Have you seen my programme or the structure of my team before judging me? Don’t just judge because I lost.”

The coach noted that Sporting Lagos faced a difficult run of fixtures against clubs fighting for league glory or continental qualification, even though he refused to use that as an excuse.

“It is unfortunate that our fixtures were against ambitious teams aiming to win the league or qualify for the continent, but I can’t run away from it, I failed,” he admitted.

“What happened in Lagos made me a better person today. That short period made me a better person apart from being a coach.”

Biffo further revealed that despite the disappointing outcome, the club’s management wanted him to continue after the season ended.

According to him, the owner of the club reassured him that the situation was not entirely his fault, but he personally felt he had not delivered on expectations.

“The owner told me after the season, ‘Coach, I know it is not your fault.’ I appreciated him, but I told him I could not continue because I had failed him already,” Biffo recounted.

“He persuaded me to come down to Nigeria from the United States, and gave me whatever I asked for. He did everything for me, so I felt I couldn’t do my own part.”

Despite the disappointment, Biffo maintained that he holds no bitterness towards the club and remains grateful for the opportunity he was given.

“It’s a pity my coming didn’t work. There is no way I can say anything negative about him or the club other than to appreciate my time with Sporting Lagos,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Coach Abdullah Usman Biffo has expressed readiness to serve Nigeria at the national team level if given the chance, saying every coach aspires to manage their country.

Biffo made this known on Friday while speaking with journalists during the Kwara SWAN Sports Hard Talk programme, where he responded to rumours linking him with a possible assistant coaching role under newly appointed Flying Eagles head coach, Abdul Maikaba.

The experienced tactician, who recently returned to Nigeria from his base in the United States, said he has not been contacted by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) regarding the position.

According to him, he would gladly accept the offer if approached.

“The joy of every coach is to coach at the national level in his or her country. Why not? If I’m offered the opportunity, I will gladly accept without hesitation,” he said.

Biffo is regarded as one of the most qualified football coaches in Nigeria, with an impressive résumé that includes managing top-flight clubs such as Niger Tornadoes, Katsina United, and Abia Warriors.

He also recalled his coaching roots at Kwara United, where he began after completing his IT programme with the club before working under notable coaches such as John Obuh, Kadir Ikhana, and Justin Tenger.