Over the years poor performances of Nigeria’s teams and players in domestic and international football has been attributed to poor technical know how of the coaches in grooming players with the right technicalities, while some school of thoughts wonder why some of these players if opportuned to go abroad become instant success and fulfil their potentials to optimal levels.
Rather than lamenting or walking in the shadow of the past, the Football Coaches Association of African Nations (FCAAN) in recent times is trying to fill the vaccum. Going abroad with recent economic reality also seems impossible for some, but coaches can not afford to be left behind.
With this realities of times and demands, FCAAN led by its president Dr. Babatunde Terry Eguaoje is doing everything to change the narratives by bringing top coach educators home and abroad to keep Nigerian coaches abreast with modern knowledge of the beautiful game.
Dr. Terry Eguaoje, who is the Consultant on Coaching and Development to the Nigerian Football Federation NFF, has ensured that over 500 youth coaches have been licensed and trained with the right knowledge.
FCAAN, again in November, will be bringing its advance courses to Nigeria, and top coaches in the NPFL and other leagues have indicated their participation in the C and B Courses scheduled for Lagos and Abuja.
Some of the coaches who at one time took the FCAAN course said the FCAAN curriculum is top-notch and would like to be a part of another defining moment of their carear.
This FCAAN C course in Lagos will be held between the 6th and 12th of November while the FCAAN B course at the capital city of Nigeria, Abuja, will be held between 15th and 22nd of November.
Eguaoje speaking from his base in America said beyond the plan to train the coaches with the modern methodology of the beautiful game, FCAAN is also helping in securing the future of the game in Nigeria by also training coach educators of the game with the right knowledge.
“We will be introducing new concepts in the art and science of coaching and football to these courses. Football is a global game, and no one involved should be left behind in terms of global best practices. We believe that knowledge is power… and that better coaches mean better athletes.”
FCAAN President also spoke on the quality of educators expected to attend the upcoming advance courses and also disclosed that student-coaches will be tested in both practical and written sessions to test their level of assimilation and understanding.
“Our foreign educators are anxiously waiting to be in Nigeria. At this stage, coaches should come ready to share their ideas and experiences; as well as learn. Student-coaches will be tested, and those successful will be awarded certifications.”
Eguaoje was a member of the Super Falcons crew to the last World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where the team reached the 2nd round stage in spectacular fashion.
