Allen Onyema, the Managing Director and CEO of Airpeace, a prominent Nigerian airline, has stirred the pot in the ongoing debate surrounding the selection of the new coach for the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) finds itself at the center of attention as it navigates the task of filling the coaching vacancy left by Jose Peseiro. The former Sporting Lisbon and Porto manager guided Nigeria to a commendable second-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations just last month.
With the NFF opening the floodgates for applications, both domestic and foreign, for the coveted coaching position, speculations have run rampant regarding the Federation’s inclination towards appointing another foreign tactician.
Onyema, not only a titan in the business world but also a fervent football enthusiast and ardent supporter of the Super Eagles, has voiced his discontent with the apparent preference for a foreign coach over a local candidate.
He vehemently argues that Nigeria possesses the talent and expertise domestically to helm the national team.
In a bold move, Onyema called upon fellow fans to unite in legal action against the NFF if they persist in appointing a foreign coach. He pledged not only his support but also his financial backing for such a legal endeavour.
Expressing his frustration to City People Online, Onyema stated,
“I don’t see the reason why we cannot have a look into the country and get somebody out there that will take on the Super Eagles. As far as I am concerned, Eguavoen succeeded to some level.
“A lot of them succeeded. The truth is that when a foreign coach bows out from the group stage, nobody talks; when a Nigerian coach bows out from Quarterfinals or semi-finals, oh, if it had been a foreign coach, we would have won the cup.
“Nobody gives Nigerian coaches a chance. Nigerians should rise up against any NFF that goes again to get any idiot as a foreign coach.
“We don’t need a foreign coach; let us grow our own. Let us even save the naira. Let us grow our own and give the Nigerian coach the same incentive you give the foreign coach and see them excel.
“In fact, we should go to court to stop NFF from employing foreign coaches; I will join you, I am telling you.
“And I will fund it. We should go to court. We must begin to love this country; that’s all I have to say about this NFF now.”
An indigenous coach, the late Stephen Keshi, engineered Nigeria’s last triumph at the AFCON in 2013.
NB: Foreign or local coach: which is the best for the Super Eagles? Leave your comments below.
This post was last modified on March 24, 2024 1:09 pm
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should we be debating this issue till now, my question is if NFF has something to let us know about this their insistence of a foreign coach, I have a reason to believe that these guys are up to some thing fishy and they're not letting us know.
Amuneke and George combo wouldn't be bad at all. Think of IT we defeated ivory Coast in the first match under their foreign who was later sacked for al local guy who took them to the finals and beat our foreign based coach
The coach of the last 2 countries that won the Nations cup were locals. So what is the reason behind hiring a foreign coach? Ok, dollars? Inflate the coaches salaries to have their cut in dollars right?
I support this legal decision..... Either they pick finidi george or amunike and give them an enabling environment to succeed.... Foreign coach always leaves a big hole when they go... There should be continuity and a particular philosophy we should adopt and stick to!!!! This one step forward and ten steps back isn't helping!!! We should be thinking about how we can market our national teams to attract sponsors and investors
I support this legal decision..... Either they pick finidi george or amunike and give them an enabling environment to succeed.... Foreign coach always leaves a big hole when they go... There should be continuity and a particular philosophy we should adopt and stick to!!!! This one step forward and ten steps back isn't helping!!! We should be thinking about how we can market our national teams to attract sponsors and investors
I am in support of this. I dnt have a preferred candidate, are black coach not humans? why are we tell the western world that we are inferior by always going to employe them to come and coach our national teams. How many Africans are employed by European national teams as coaches. what is really wrong with the black race.
I am in surpport, we need a coach who will have a Nigerian heart and be able to understand the s.e boys.
Onyeama my man
I am not in support , equavoen cost us a world cup appearance , Amuneke failed with zanaco in Zambia , what number is Enyimba in the npfl, I am not saying it must be foreign , olise and nsien are capable. Let us not be sentimental and support our nff . I too am not in support of a foreign coach but if need arise we need Toni conceicao . Let's face reality our coaches ain't doing enough.
We have good coaches, nevertheless, we are so divided and unpatriotic, the indigenous coach will suffer and suffer from the power that be in the glass house, our sport journalists will not help matters, we will go back to quarter system. Abeg safe us from gnashing of teeth again, because of our tribal sentiments give us a foreign coach who do not know Hausa, Yoruba, igbo etc. but will invite a player because of his potential
I will support with everything , We don't need a foreign coach, Foreign is a scam. NFF stop deceiving us(Nigerian) it's time we allow our local Coach we have them in numbers that are capable to do the job for us.
This is so good for my liking oooo, the whole country should rise against this clique of brainless morons who thinks white skin is the certificate for success, I support this motion 1000% let's sue them to the court of Justice and let's hear that foolish reasons