Super Eagles’ assistant coach and Rangers International Technical Adviser, Fidelis Ilechukwu, has revealed plans to take a temporary break from club football at the end of the season in order to pursue further academic studies.

 

Popularly known as Camara, Ilechukwu made this disclosure at a press conference organised by Rangers International in Enugu. The media briefing marked his first official engagement since returning to the Coal City after helping the Super Eagles secure a bronze medal at the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

 

“I have so many jobs and I also want to go to school,” Ilechukwu said. “After this season, I want to take a break, face my education and then come back.”

 

The former Plateau United coach stressed that his decision would not negatively affect the long-term vision he has helped to establish at Rangers, noting that structures are already in place to sustain progress in his absence.

 

“I don’t want to force myself to stay. I didn’t say I must stay by all means. Even if I’m not around, this foundation at Rangers will continue from where we stopped,” he explained. “So that in the next three or four years, Rangers will only sign 30 percent of players from outside and take 70 percent from the feeder teams. That’s the greatest foundation ever.”

 

Ilechukwu further emphasised his philosophy of youth development, insisting that football success should not be measured solely by trophies won with ageing players, but by the ability to nurture and export talents.

 

“If we continue to retain old players in the team, I don’t think it’s going to work,” he said. “At the end of the day, if we have about 10 to 15 players from Rangers moving to Europe, then people will understand that it’s not all about winning trophies. It’s about changing lives and producing talents.”

 

Meanwhile, Ilechukwu’s return to the Rangers’ dugout in the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season will be slightly delayed, as he has embarked on a short break and is expected back in the second week of February.

 

In his absence, assistant manager Ekenedilichukwu Ekeh will take charge of the team when Rangers International host Warri Wolves in their NPFL Matchday 22 fixture on Sunday, 25 January 2026, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.