By Maduabuchi Kalu on September 13, 2016

Former CAF and FIFA executive member, Dr. Amos Adamu, has proffered solution to the dwindling fortunes of Nigerian Football. The former Director of General of the defunct National Sports Commission (NSC) said for the country to halt the dwindling fortune of Nigerian Football there was need for the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) whose responsibility it was to hire and fire national team coaches to stop the incessant change of coaches.

He said that the country must as a matter of fact get the coaching crew right if it desires to restore the past glory of Nigerian football. He explained that this is very critical because the strength of any national team is a reflection of the technical crew that handles the team. The former DG of the NSC said any time a coach was fired either, it always has adverse effect on the team whether those at the helm of affairs accept it or not.

Dr. Adamu stated this while fielding question on a life television sports programme on Saturday on Television Continental.

“Well, if we want to really restore the past glory of the country’s football, there is need for us particularly those at the helm of affairs to halt the incessant changing of the technical crew of the national team,” Adamu said.

“There is need for us to get the coaching crew right. That is important. If we must get the desire result, there is every need to ensure that the coach or coaches that are hired are the ones that can deliver on their mandates.

“Having said that however, I am not in any way saying that if a coach is not doing well he should be retained, No! That is not what I am saying rather what I am saying is the rate of with which we churn out coaches has negative impact on the team whether those in authority accept it or not but that is the truth.

“Now, how do we stop this propensity of changing coaches without blinking an eye? We can only do that by ensuring that those we hire to steer the ship of the national team are people with proven track records. Those who have proved themselves before taking over the reins that they know what it takes to handle a big brand like the Super Eagles.

“There is also the need to create conducive atmosphere for the technical crew to discharge their responsibilities,” Dr. Adamu stated.

Speaking further, the former CAF and FIFA executive member said: “I think that another issue which is like the issue of coaches is players. The question is what type of players do we parade as national team?

“I think that if we must move forward or restore the past glory of Nigerian football, there is need for us to stop depending on names of players instead of form and youthfulness of such players. This is very important because sports are about youthfulness.

“Why must we keep recycling the same set of players even when it is obvious that age is no longer on their side? We should look for younger players and they are not lacking in this country with a population of over one hundred and eighty million (180 million), I don’t believe that players should be in short supply.

“There is no way you expect a 35 years old man to march the energy and speed of a 22-year-old young man, it is not done. We need our young talented players for us to bounce back to reckoning in Africa and world football. There should be no sentiment in team selection,” Dr. Adamu said.

•Photo shows Dr. Amos Adamu.

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 13, 2016

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