Joseph Akpala Appointed Player Development Coach at Club Brugge

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Former Nigeria forward Joseph Akpala has been appointed as the Player Development Coach for Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge.

In his new role, the 38-year-old will focus on the individual development of first-team players, bringing both his playing and coaching experience to the fore.

Akpala is no stranger to Belgian football, having previously served as an assistant coach at KV Kortrijk, where he also briefly took charge as interim head coach, managing the team for five games.

This appointment marks a return to familiar ground for Akpala, who had a successful playing stint with Club Brugge between 2008 and 2012. During his time at the club, he scored 56 goals and contributed 19 assists in 168 appearances across all competitions.

On the international stage, Akpala earned nine caps for the Nigerian national team, scoring once.

He now reunites with fellow Nigerian Raphael Onyedika, a Super Eagles midfielder currently plying his trade at Club Brugge.

Oluwaseun Oyediji

Oluwaseun Babatunde Oyediji is a multi-media sports journalist with over 10 years experience in Information Communication Technology (ICT), women's football, and beach soccer reportage.The prolific writer is the Media Assistant to Nigeria Beach Soccer League and Africa Beach Soccer Union as well as contributor on Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) website.He has covered multiple national and international football tournaments including Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2020), CAF Women's Champions League (2023), and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).Since 2021, Oyediji has covered the NWFL Premiership especially the season ending Super Six Playoffs.A member of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun state chapter is also the image maker of the Remo Sports Development Council under the leadership of Chief Falilat Ogunkoya and David Osuolale.

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