Former Hearts of Oak manager Kenichi Yatsuhashi has signed for Nigerian Premier League side Ifeanyi Ubah as their new head coach.
The club announced the appointment through a statement Wednesday, taking over from Brazilian Rafael Everton.
The Japanese coached Hearts of Oak during the just ended Ghana Premier League season, winning the affection of the fans as he led his side on a strong title challenge until he was sacked due to differences with the club’s board.
His departure coincided with the downward spiral of Hearts, who dropped out of the title race and eventually finished third. He recently informed fans that he was working on a new direction for his career.
Yaw Preko, who was handed temporary control of the team towards the end of the season, resigned after the season ended and it’s now emerged it’s because he would be working with Kenichi on their new adventure.
Good luck to them both. Below is the official Ifeanyi Ubah statement on their new appointments.

The Management of FC Ifeanyi Ubah is pleased to announce the appointment of Kenichi Yatsuhashi, a Japanese-American and former Head Coach of Accra Hearts of Oak as the new Head Coach of FC Ifeanyi Ubah.

He holds a USSFA and National Youth Coaching licence, a CONCACAF Internatonal Coaching licence, an NSCAA Goalkeeping Diploma and a KNBV Advanced Diploma, IFA GK Certificate and FIFA and FIFA/AFC Grassroots Certificate.

Management is also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Yaw Preko as the new Assistant Coach/Physical trainer of the Club.

Yaw Preko joins Fc Ifeanyi Ubah from Accra Hearts of Oak where he was acting Head Coach.

Yaw Preko is also currently the Acting Head Coach of Ghana’s national Team (Black Stars of Ghana) and a former top striker in Turkish football club, Fenerbahce S.K. Management has also promoted its Bulgarian Head Coach, Mitko Dobrev to the position of the Technical Director of the Club whilst its Brazilian Assistant Coach, Rafael Everton has been offered to retain his position as the Assistant coach in addition to a new role as Head Coach, Youth Development of the FC Ifeanyi Ubah football Academy.