By Oluwashina Okeleji BBC Sport, Lagos

Newly-crowned Nigeria league champions Ocean Boys have reinstated their Belgian coach Maurice Cooreman, barely two weeks after giving him the sack.

Cooreman, who has been in Nigeria since 1998, was dismissed on 20 September for making "negative comments" about the club.

But club chairman Ngor Silva said the coach has been recalled to lead them into next year's Caf Champions League.

"We have a strong bond and I respect the fact that he has since soft-pedalled in his approach to sensitive matters," Ngor Silva told BBC Sport.

"He took us to our dreamland and then the problem started, but all that is in the past now."

The chairman however denied insinuations that the Bayelsa State Government, who have since taken over as the club's financial backers, ordered his reinstatement.

"I believe in God and once he told me that we can work together again, I respect that realisation," he said.

"Mr Cooreman is expected back on Sunday to return to his post as honourable coach of the club."

Ocean Boys emerged as league champions against the odds for the first time in their history last month.

They will now represent Nigeria in next year's Champions League alongside runners-up Nasarawa United.