By Taiwo Sportivation Ibrahim
The highly-rated Daniel Enema Itodo, popularly known as coach Itodo, has once again made history with Grassrunners FC after leading the club to the 2026 Ogunjobi Gold Cup glory in Abeokuta without losing a match, Sportivationng.com reports.
He led the club to impressive victories over Nigeria Premier Football League clubs, Inter Lagos, and Doma United en route to winning the 14th edition of the prestigious pre-season tournament.
Grassrunners capped off the tournament with a scintillating performance to brush aside Abakaliki FC 3-0 in the final courtesy of goals from Temileyin Adelabu, Lasisi Musa and an own goal by Hamzat Sheriff.
Itodo has impressed the Ogun State-based club management and supporters with his tactical ingenuity, and his uncanny ability to spot, and to develop young players to fulfil their utmost potential while also ensuring they compete for major honours.
He has found a way to maintain his standard of developing players and also winning trophies, which is quite difficult as a coach tasked with breeding the next generation of football stars.
Brief History About Coach Itodo
Itodo played as a midfielder during his playing days.
He started his career at Pepsi Football Academy before going on to play for the likes of Wikki Tourists, Maseda Sportif (Togo), Tomordi FC ( Ivory Coast), Guingamp (France), KSV Hessen Kassel (Germany).
Itodo has coached the likes of HB Football Academy, Sporting Supreme, Future Pro Soccer Academy, Oasis Football Academy, Right Dream Football Academy, and serves as an assistant coach at City Football Club.
Impressive Coaching Journey
Coach Itodo is regarded as one of the best coaches in Nigeria because of his exceptional ability to develop players and transform raw talents into stars.
Over the years, he has played a key role in nurturing emerging talents, many of whom have gone on to achieve greater heights in their careers.
Itodo led Sporting Supreme to win the Dana Cup in Denmark and the Gothia Cup in Sweden.
He also led the team to win the Abuja Elite League trophy without losing a single match, winning 13, drawing 5 out of 18 matches.
He was named the coach of the season after leading the team to the trophy with an unbeaten run for the first time in the history of the competition.
Itodo has successfully nurtured over 30 players, who are now playing professionally across Europe.
Another Trophy-winning start At Grassrunners FC.
Itodo led Grassrunners FC to the Ogunjobi Gold Cup with an unbeaten run, winning six and drawing one including notable victories over Doma United, Inter Lagos, Sunshine Stars, and Abakaliki FC.
The team scored 14 goals and conceded only three to emerge champions.
Grassrunners FC entered the competition as a team determined to compete against established sides, and their eventual triumph demonstrated the quality, organisation and mentality that Itodo has been able to instil in his squad.
For a coach whose career has been closely associated with developing young footballers, winning a competitive tournament provides an important indication that development and results can go hand in hand.
For Itodo, development involves improving players technically, tactically and mentally while giving them the confidence to express themselves on the pitch.
Itodo has once again shown that a team can be built around young players without sacrificing competitiveness.
Coach Itodo Trophies and Awards
Dana Cup
Gothia Cup
Abuja Elite League
Gold Cup
Awards: Abuja Elite League Coach Of The Year
Itodo has earned the praises of Grassrunners FC supporters, and football enthusiasts in Ogun State, and Nigeria at large while also drawing attention from outside Nigeria.
He is surely a coach to watch out for in the Nigerian football sphere.
Grassrunners FC Last 14 matches.
Grassrunners 1 vs 1 Sporting Lagos
Grassrunners 2 vs 1 Shooting Stars
Grassrunners 1 vs 0 Ikorodu City
Grassrunners 1 vs 1 Shooting Stars
Grassrunners 3 vs 3 Imperial FC
Grassrunners 2 vs 2 MKA
Grassrunners 3 vs 1 Ikorodu City
Grassrunners 2 vs 1 Doma United
Grassrunners 1 vs 0 Stormers SC
Grassrunners 0 vs 0 Sunshine Stars
Grassrunners 2 vs 0 Inter Lagos
Grassrunners 3 vs 1 Dokkal Khairu
Grassrunners FC 3-1 Sunshine Stars
Grassrunners FC 3-0 Abakalaki FC
