NFF considers hiring of local coach for Super Eagles – Official
By Abdurrahman Balarabe Isah
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has admitted that the current Coach of the Super Eagles Jose Peseiro does not have what it takes to lead the three-time African Champions to victory, judging by his experience and track record.
This is coming after the lackluster performance of the team during the World Cup qualifiers, managing to get just two draws in two games and raising concerns as to whether the team is ready to dominate continental football once again.
During an interview with Kano-based media organization Arewa Radio monitored by SOLACEBASE over the weekend, Shariff Rabiu Inuwa Ahlan, Nigeria’s top Football Administrator and Chairman of the technical committee of the country’s Football powerhouse, blamed the sorry state of football affairs in the country to some unjustifiable interferences by some power brokers in the country.
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Ahlan, who doubles as the Chairman of the Kano State Football Association, FA bemoaned the recent poor run of results that plagued the National team, something he linked to the below-par experience of the handler of the former African Champions.
He blurted out that the NFF did not hire the coach to begin with, despite its many recommendations, which was also preceded by an outrageous package for the overrated gaffer. He added that the then minister of sports did that without considering if the NFF could afford the salary.
According to him, aside the $70,000 salary, the coach’s contract stipulates that he be paid an equivalent of his three years salary, should his contract be terminated before it is due, again an expense out of the reach of the Football governing body that should have been avoided.
Suggesting that Peseiro was imposed on the team by the former minister of sports, Ahlan said, “People do not know that there have been undue interferences and in most instances, there is only little, we as technical committee members can do.”
“We had once resolved to let him go at all cost but the minister weighed in and pleaded for another lifeline on his behalf.”
Reacting to the technical performance of the Super Eagles gaffer, Ahlan pointed out that the biggest gray area is the goalkeeping department, which the coach blatantly refused to try any available option.
He said after some questionable performances displayed by the male national team, he asked Peseiro to start justifying his selection of players to the technical committee, based on their recent form and previous performances before handing in call-up letters to the players.
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However, though the decision was tailored in the best interest of the team, instead of complying, Peseiro, was heard accusing him of spending so much energy telling him what to do, instead of fighting for his unpaid salaries and allowances.
“If it was in my hands or the technical committee, he would have been sacked with immediate effect.”
Ahlan, who is also the chairman of the NFF sponsorship and development committee, expressed his admiration for indigenous coaches as against expatriates, saying they are more effective and cost the Football Federation less.
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