The African Great - Moses Manqoba

A few days ago, I was looking at a video talking about some of Africa's best footballers. You know, the usual gang. Weah, Drogba, etc. But then I realised something. There is not a single manager in the top 5 leagues that is from an African country. None at all. I mean, you could count the likes of Zidane, since they technically do have an African nationality. But when was the last time that you heard an African name floating around management circles? An African name etched onto the sidelines? I mean, most managers from the continent make their name through managing their country. But what about at club level? Winning Champions Leagues, trebles and the like? No names come readily to my mind.

Not anymore. Hopefully, at least. Here's whats gonna go down.



This is the African Hall of Fame. A large mountain to climb indeed. The goal is to one day reach the pinnacle of that mountain. To become the best African Manager ever.
Main Goal: Reach #1 in African Hall of Fame

Of course, that wouldn't be entertaining enough. So I've set myself some side goals.
Side Goal #1: Win a league title before 30
Side Goal #2: Win a continental competition (any continent) before 40
Side Goal #3: Win a league title with Enyimba (my favourite team in this save)
Side Goal #4: Win an international tournament
Side Goal #5: Win a UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Pretty tricky right? But that's the challenge. So let's pack up that suitcase and grab that travel pillow, cause we are going continental!

Is that screenshot just the hall of fame for managers managing in Africa? As there's Portuguese, Polish and other nationalities there mate? I think it is because Stu Baxter is definitely not African but has managed the South African national team.

Good idea for a save, have you got any additional leagues loaded from Africa?

Apologies for the confusion bigmattb28, that is the hall of fame for managers in Africa. The goal is to top that, but also try and have a couple of European adventures along the way.
I've used claassen's amazing megapack on FM18, so I have pretty much every single African country's top flight loaded, with a few lower divisions as well. Top 5 European leagues, Argentina and Brazil also loaded. Makes the loading take forever though, but oh well.

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Moses - Important prophet in the Abrahamic religions. Most known for crossing the seas using his magical abilities. Hoping to do the same?
Manqoba - Zulu name for a person capable of winning in hopeless situations (rough translation). Will definitely need some of that.

He is Nigerian, for no other reason that they are a big football country in Africa. The Nigerian league is one of the better ones to go to so here's hoping that helps.

20 years old, no coaching badges, last known experience of playing football was falling over trying to volley. This is starting from scratch.

Now here's hoping some club likes taking a risk on an lad younger than most players.......

Love this idea! Get going in Africa my man!

Thanks tongey, appreciate the support!
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21st November 2016
Well, being Nigerian did indeed pay off. Received offers from a few clubs in Nigeria's top flight.



I did attend all of them, seeing as I need any break I can get. Kano Pillars are title contenders, so the ideal move would be to them. The rest of the sides are mid-table mediocrity.

24th November 2016

What is this? A wild job offer has appeared!



Considering this is a first management job for an unknown 20-year-old, the chance to manage in Nigeria's top flight would be irresistable. But considering no other team has gotten back to me yet, I'm gonna delay.

8th December 2016

Almost two weeks have gone since the Katsina job offer. The Kano Pillars job went to a 73-year-old Belgian, who's probably gonna win them their 5th league title. Meanwhile, none of the other clubs have come close to responding to me. As a result of this disappointment combined with my own impatience, I decided to take a leap of faith.



Let's get this show on the road!

Intriguing first job - best of luck!

Hopefully the journey is as intriguing as the destination r96skinner.
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Thought I might go over what club I've joined, for those who are interested at least.

Club History:
The club was founded in 1994, and promoted to the top-tier of Nigerian football in 1997. They also managed to finish runners-up in the Nigerian FA Cup three times in a row, from 1995-97, which as a second-division club, is quite the feat.

However, the club were unable to establish themselves in the top-flight and were relegated in 2001, following which they were disbanded. However, in 2008, the Katsina State government made plans to resurrect them, reestablishing them as Spotlights FC. They played in the second-division of the Nigerian football pyramid for 7 more seasons, before the landmark year of 2016. Not only were they rebranded once again as Katsina United, but they won the Nigerian National League and earned promotion back to the top flight.

Stadium and Facilities
The team play at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in the capital city, owned by the Katsina State Government (who also own Katsina United).It was opened in 2013, with a football ground, gymnasium and fitness club available. It has been the home of Katsina United, but also hosted Premier League side El-Kanemi Warriors FC for a year in 2015-16 during the Boko Haram insurgency. It has an all-seater capacity of 35,000.

Achievements
Nigerian FA Cup: Three-times runner up (1995,1996,1997)
Nigerian National League: One-time champion (2015)
African Cup Winners Cup: One-time quarterfinalist (1996)

Real Life:
A month ago, they appointed Abdusammad Badamasi, the youngest first-team manager in the Premier League at 35 years old. He reportedly wept tears of joy after being offered the job. Imagine what Moses Manqoba would have done. We might have needed an ark to survive that flood. He's 20, for the love of God.
Their goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, has also played 21 times for the national team and is a close friend of current Manchester United poster-boy Odion Ighalo. He even told reporters that he would like a move to Manchester United to link up with his friend. Good man Ikechukwu. Just like I "would like" to call David Beckham over for lunch so we can laugh about the good times we had. Aren't we all special.

So in conclusion, state owned team just entering their first season back in the Premier League, a couple of flirtations with silverware in the past and a goalkeeper that befits the Premier League better than this club. Let's just hope the fax machines stay working for that one.
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P.S. I do apologise for not posting the last few days - exams hit kinda hard. I will try and upload more starting from now. I mean, its not like I'm going anywhere. Unfortunately. Oh, for the sun and the sea..........