Chris Twiddy, Team Manager of Norwegian club HamKam, has revealed to Completesports.com that the partnership agreement between his club and Enyimba FC is mutually beneficial.
“The programme is very good. It was set up for the Enyimba youth team coaches, which is what we like,” Twiddy said.
“The chairman (Nwankwo Kanu) wants the coaches to gain more tactical awareness of European football. He gave us a film to work on, and we’ve put it into practice with the coaches.”
Also Read: Kanu: ‘Enyimba’s Youth Project Thriving With Hamkam Partnership, More Clubs Interested’
Twiddy, 49, expressed satisfaction with the coaches’ eagerness to learn.
“Compliance? Very good. They are learning a lot and fast too. They want to absorb as much as possible. We provide them with tactical formations and assess how well they adopt them.”
He described the working relationship between HamKam and Enyimba as a ‘win-win’ for both clubs.
“For us, it’s a win-win situation. We come here to contribute to the club’s youth development by coaching the coaches, preparing them to nurture future players.
“This will make it easier when we eventually scout players from Enyimba for opportunities in Norway. By then, they would have already been exposed to the European football philosophy.”
Twiddy was part of the three-man HamKam delegation that first visited Aba in 2024 to kick-start the Enyimba-HamKam partnership programme.
As in 2024, he is currently in Aba alongside HamKam FC Head of Transfers and Sporting Director Jorgen Bjorn and FIFA-licensed agent Tuncay Leon Bardakci.
He noted significant improvements at Enyimba compared to their initial visit.
“The major change is that there is now a more professional approach to player development. There are more coaches, and they are eager to learn. So, there has definitely been progress since our last visit.”
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Twiddy expressed delight at the warm reception they have received in Aba.
“We’re very satisfied. Everyone has taken good care of us—friendly, helpful, and keen to learn.
“We came here to train the coaches and, of course, identify potential players. The enthusiasm from the coaches has been outstanding, which is very encouraging.”
Twiddy also shared his fondness for Nigerian cuisine, particularly spicy fish.
“Yes, I’ve eaten Nigerian food, especially the fish with pepper,” he said with a laugh.
“I liked it, I liked it,” he added, also admitting to enjoying the sunny Nigerian weather.
“You see, I’m sweating! The weather is hot, but I like it. In Norway, it’s currently 17 degrees, which is freezing cold,” Twiddy concluded.
By Sab Osuji
