As Nigerians await the appointment of a new coach for the Super Eagles, the Football Coaches Association of African Nations (FCAAN) has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to give priority to competence and coaching records in making the appointment, and look to the way of indigenous gaffers to fill the vacancy.
To be sure, FICAAN expressed confidence in the ability of indigenous coaches to handle the senior national team, stressing that if given the same support as previous foreign coaches, local tacticians can surpass the achievements of the foreigners.
Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, April 23, President, FCAAN, Terry Eguaoje, said it was time indigenous coaches were considered on a long-term contract for them to infuse their football philosophy into the team.
Eguaoje stated: “I must be sincere with you. We are tired of foreign coaches. If the backing given to previous foreign coaches is accorded indigenous coaches, I am sure they will do better than the foreigners.
“We believe we have the coaches that can handle our national team at home but we must just give them the needed support for them to excel like their foreign counterparts. Pay them the same salaries as the foreigners and see what they can do.”
Eguaoje added: “For me, I believe we must consider competence and coaching record when appointing any coach because such a coach must ensure his philosophy of football trickles down to the junior national teams. We must also give our local coaches the respect we accord the foreigners and allow them to do their jobs. But competence is necessary.”
With 45,000 registered members across Nigeria, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), FCAAN, Danny Nazzal, said the body was ready to support indigenous coaches within Africa with the latest knowhow in the round leather game, stressing that the body has been working hard to extend its tentacles round the continent.
Nazzal said: “We are ready to help our coaches and we have been doing this in the last five years. Some of our (former) students are now handling various clubs within Nigeria in the amateur and professional leagues.
“We are using this platform to relaunch FCAAN with the aim of helping our coaches to improve their trade as well as contributing to the development of football within and outside Nigeria. We want to give proper education to our coaches in our bid to improve the lot of football in the continent,” he added.