Former Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick has emphasized the need for foreign coaches and enhanced infrastructure to boost Nigerian football standards.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Pinnick reiterated his long-standing advocacy for foreign coaches during his tenure as NFF President.
“Nigerian coaches have knowledge and abilities, but it goes beyond that in managing players. One thing that is elemental when you want to manage a player is respect; do they have respect for the coaches?” Pinnick said.
The former NFF chief highlighted the infrastructural challenges hampering football development in Nigeria, noting the lack of basic amenities in many stadiums.
“We have serious infrastructural deficits. For instance, you don’t want to go to the stadium and want to use the toilet and you can’t,” he stated.
Comparing Nigeria’s situation to other countries, Pinnick observed that nations like the United States, Germany, and England have ready infrastructure to host major tournaments at any time.
He noted, “If you go to Morocco today, it’s like plug and play because they have everything. England today can host the World Cup.”
To address these challenges, Pinnick proposed a collaborative effort involving state governments, the federal government, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. His suggestion includes conducting an audit of all sports facilities in Nigeria and grouping states based on their sports infrastructure.
“The problem we have in Nigeria is not about facilities; it is about maintenance,” Pinnick asserted.
The former NFF president expressed confidence that well-maintained training facilities could produce exceptional talents from Nigeria. He also stressed the importance of respect between players and coaches, urging top players like Osimhen to maintain a professional attitude.
“Osimhen and other players should accord their coaches and leaders with an appreciable level of respect,” he said.
Regarding the current state of Nigerian football, Pinnick acknowledged the NFF’s efforts to ensure appropriate coaching appointments. Despite the urgent situation, he remained optimistic about Nigeria’s football future.
“We should be hopeful and prayerful and work closely with the Nigeria Football Federation. Anything can still happen,” he added.
