Saintfiet Will Sanitise Nigerian Football —Akpoborie

Former Super Eagles striker, Jonathan Akpoborie, has backed the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF’s decision to appoint Belgian tactician, Tom Saintfiet, as the Technical Director for all the national teams, stressing that Sainfiet will help sanitise Nigerian football.

Akpoborie is confident that the former Ethiopia Coach will bring sanity to the country’s football, an attribute which many Nigerian coaches lack.

“I don’t know Tom from Adam, and I’ve been critical of so many wrong decisions which the NFF have taken in the past. But this appointment as far as I am concerned is a good omen for our football; simply because he’s a foreigner and he won’t allow any form of sentiment in his approach to the job,” the former Wolfsburg of Germany striker said.

“We need someone who is well grounded in football matters, and who can map out a good style of play for all our national teams from the grassroots so that players could graduate easily from one stage to the other.

“Nigerian players are talented but are often wanting in understanding football dynamics. Look at David Alaba of Bayern Munich, at 19, you could see how brilliant he has been to the Bavarians this season, but can any Nigerian player at his age perform at that level?

“It’s not that we can’t find one, but how many of them are exposed to modern day methodologies of football? None; except the fortunate ones who were brought up overseas,” he added.

Looking at Stephen Keshi scorecard so far as Coach of the senior national team, he remarked: “I find it difficult to judge him with those friendlies; but let’s see how he fares in June because we must win all the three competitive games to boost our chances of qualifying for major championships next year.”