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The Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday relaunched the CAF A-License Coaching Course, marking a significant milestone in the development of coaching education in Nigeria.
The ceremony, held in Abuja, brought together top officials of the Federation, facilitators, and participants drawn from across the country. In his remarks, Acting General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, expressed profound appreciation to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for its support in reviving the elite coaching programme.
“I want to, on behalf of the NFF, appreciate CAF for returning Nigeria to the CAF A-License Convention. At a point, it became somewhat embarrassing that this elite coaching course took so long to return to our country. Permit me to also appreciate the NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, and his staff for their hard work, diligence, relentless push, and creative resilience that have convinced CAF to restore our country to the CAF A-License Convention.”
Ikpeme challenged all the 25 coaches participating in the course to open their minds and be attentive to learn and broaden their worldview, in order to acquire the modern technical and tactical nous to be able to compete with the best available hands in Africa and the world.
Also speaking at the event, the Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Philip Shaibu, lauded the NFF for bringing the CAF-A License back to the limelight after many years.
“I want to thank the NFF for bringing this elite coaching programme back to our shores after so many years. From our research in Nigeria, we discovered that over 40,000 coaches in Nigeria are not certified. I believe that with our partnership with the NFF, Nigeria will become a big hub in coaching education in Africa.”
NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, expressed delight at the return of the programme. “I think I am the most excited person here today. I don’t know about any other person, but since this thing is back, and it’s back to stay, we will build on it. And by the grace of God, we will come to accomplish our mission and step up to higher levels.”
Also present at the opening were NFF’s Acting Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Ademola Olajire; Director of Legal Services, Okey Obi Esq.; Head of Coaching Education, Dr. Terry Eguaoje; CAF Coaching Educator Michael Amanga; Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Eric Chelle; NIS Chief Librarian, Dr Omo Atsenokhai; Deputy Director (Technical), Mrs Faith Omon Ben-Anuge; Chief Operating Officer of NWFL, Ms Modupe Shabi; Assistant Director Coaching & Development, Coach AbdulRafiu Yusuf and; a couple of NIS Management Staff.
