By: Prince ‘Seye Akanmu-Bode
Growing up as a die-hard football fan, I recall listening to renowned sports analysts like the late Fabio Lanipekun, Paul Bassey, and Mitchel Obi. They consistently criticized the Nigeria Football Federation (then known as the NFA) for its lack of vision and poor decision-making.
One particular issue that drew intense scrutiny was the hiring of foreign coaches. Critics argued that the NFA would often settle for subpar expatriates without impressive track records in world football. This led to the infamous nickname “NO FOOTBALL AMBITION” being associated with the NFA.
Following Nigeria’s impressive performances at the 1994 USA World Cup and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, expectations soared. Many believed the Super Eagles required a top-notch tactician to propel them to greater heights.
Fast-forward to January 8, 2025, and the NFF has once again left me bewildered. The recent hiring of Eric Chelle, a Malian, as the coach of the Super Eagles raises more questions than answers.
Have we suddenly gone crazy in our quest for any foreign coach that we had to settle for a Malian? This isn’t about racism or chauvinism; it’s about the heritage, prestige, and success of the team.
The Super Eagles boast a global pedigree in football, with three AFCON wins, six World Cup appearances, and three second-round finishes. Where’s the heritage of Mali to be seen as the country where the technical know-how resides?
Even in African Club football competitions, our nemesis are clubs from North Africa, South Africa, and perhaps Petro Luanda of Angola. Malian teams have never been threats to our teams.
Can Brazil or Argentina go to Colombia for a coach? Even when England decided to go for foreign coaches, they opted for the best of the eras – Sven-Göran Eriksson, Fabio Capello, and now Thomas Tuchel.
These coaches boast impressive track records from great footballing nations. What Eriksson lacked in football heritage as a Swede, he made up for as a master tactician with 18 trophies.
Thomas Tuchel is a world-renowned coach from a footballing nation like Germany. England didn’t go to Switzerland to pick a coach; they picked a coach with a pedigree.
The statement from the FA CEO Mark Bullingham on Tuchel’s appointment highlights the thoroughness of their recruitment process:
“We are thrilled to have hired Thomas Tuchel, one of the best coaches in the world… Our recruitment process has been very thorough. Before the Euros, we had a contingency plan and outlined exactly the qualities we would be looking for in a coach.”
In contrast, the NFF’s statement on Chelle’s appointment is underwhelming:
“The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has endorsed the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of Mr. Éric Sékou Chelle as Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team, Super Eagles.”
Even the NFF refused to mention Chelle’s pedigree and what value he brings to the team.
Chelle’s coaching experience is limited to lower-rung teams in France and Algeria. What’s in Chelle that’s not in our local coaches? If our local coaches aren’t performing, it’s because the NFF never supports them.
The NFF has taken us backward with this appointment. Next time, we might go for a coach from Madagascar just because they once beat us in AFCON!
I wanted a foreign coach, but not an African man with no pedigree in football. It’s not racism, but about our prestige and heritage. There’s no talent in Africa that’s not in Nigeria, especially in coaching.
Prince Seye Akanmu-Bode, is a football aficionado.