Follow Us on Google
…Says he’s ready to contribute to his salary
From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
As Nigerian football fans eagerly await the arrival of a new coach to replace Finidi George, who resigned his position as coach of the Super Eagles, a former vice chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chief Gabriel Chukwuma, has reiterated his call for a world-class coach who is tactically sound and knowledgeable in both African and world football and has made his mark in his previous engagements outside Nigeria.
The proprietor of Gabros FC of Nnewi also said he is ready to contribute to the salary of the coach to assist the NFF.
According to him, “Nigeria is too big for minnows or Industrial Trainee coaches. Nigeria should be seen as a world power in football rubbing shoulders with equally big countries like Brazil, Italy, Argentina, and France etc. Therefore, only a world-class coach should always be engaged to manage the senior national team.”
On whether the NFF can foot the bills of a reputable foreign coach he’s canvasing for, considering the present economic realities, Chukwuma replied, “ I am ready to contribute money to pay his salaries. And I believe there are other football-loving Nigerians who will be willing to join me in paying his salary to ensure we get the best for Nigerians.
“Even if it means going to President Tinubu to beg him for the approval of a world-class coach, I will do it. I am concerned because the Super Eagles are in a precarious situation now and if care is not taken, they will not appear at the World Cup and that will be a disaster for the Ibrahim Gusau led NFF.
“Again, I have been hearing rumours that the NFF is working underground to recruit one of the half-baked foreign coaches, that is not what we need now. We need those who have made their marks in previous engagements and no matter what it takes to get them, we should not hesitate to do that, otherwise our situation will worsen.
“Gusau has so far failed to get it right, so he should be careful with what he does now. The new coach must have what it takes to build a formidable team capable of withstanding any team in the world. He should avoiding religion and tribalism in selection and invitation of players, which is common with most Nigerian coaches,” he said.
