Ogunbote pours cold water on rumoured move to Kano Pillars, wants to see out 3SC contract
Despite uncertainties surrounding his future, Gbenga Ogunbote will stay with former Nigeria Premier Football League champions 3SC until the end of the incoming 2025/26 season, despite talks of joining Kano Pillars.
Ogunbote, who rejoined 3SC in 2023 on an initial one-year deal, signed a two-year extension in June 2024, which will see him stay in Ibadan till 2026.
According to reports, the Ibadan-based club almost sacked the gaffer towards the end of last season over poor performances, but they have since relaxed their decision, meaning that the gaffer will see out the remaining year on his contract.
Ogunbote’s job at 3SC came under scrutiny before the end of last season when their title ambitions derailed.
Despite being in the early race for the title, the club finished eighth with 54 points, one spot and one point above Kano Pillars, the club Ogunbote is now linked with.
While nothing has been said from the Kano side, they might be on the lookout for another gaffer, no thanks to the acrimony which filtered into the return of Usman Abdallah to the club last season.
Pillars suspended Abdallah for almost two months last term over issues the coach dismissed as mundane.
Ogunbote will hope to guide 3SC to their ambitions next season, even as his only piece of silverware as a coach remains the 2018 Federation Cup title, which he led Rangers International to in 2018.
