18th August, 2011
General Secretary of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria, YSFON, Kaduna State chapter, Abdul Rasaq Usman, has faulted the way coaches are appointed by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, for the nation’s age grade teams.
Usman said that coaches appointed by the NFF are not usually familiar with the terrain of youth football in the country, adding that this development is responsible for the nation’s decline at the age grade competitions at the world stage.
‘‘Nigeria’s recent poor run at the age grade competitions is caused by the way coaches are appointed for both the U-17 Golden Eaglets and U-20 Flying Eagles. In most cases coaches are appointed based on their connection with the people at the Glass House rather than on their knowledge of youth football in the country,’’ he said.
Usman, however, urged stakeholders in the country’s football to make a move that will ensure that coaches with vast knowledge and experience in youth football are appointed as the NFF sets to name another set of coaches for the Eaglets.
‘‘It is high time stakeholders rose to the occasion by taking certain steps at ensuring that experienced and knowledgeable coaches in youth football are appointed this time around,’’ he said.
—Olusegun Abidoye