A major boost has been handed to football development in Nigeria after the Confederation of African Football officially readmitted the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) into the CAF A Coaching Convention.
With the approval now granted, CAF A coaching courses can once again be organised in Nigeria after years of delay and growing anticipation among the country’s coaching community.
Confirmation of the development was delivered in a letter sent to the NFF by CAF’s Coaching Education Project Manager, Jaida Zakaria.
“We are pleased to inform you that the CAF A course curriculum submitted by NFF has been approved. You can now proceed with submitting a request for a CAF A course through the CMS, subject to an inspection visit,” Zakaria stated.
Excitement was immediately expressed by the NFF’s Head of Coaching Education, Terry Babatunde Eguaoje, who described the approval as a long awaited breakthrough for coaching development in the country.
“This is truly huge, after nine years! Admission into the CAF A coaching convention is a big deal. This is in addition to the CAF D, C and B that had been approved at various times by CAF,” Eguaoje said.
Further satisfaction was also shared by NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, who confirmed that preparations for the programme would begin immediately.
“We are elated by this positive development for the cause of coaching in our country. The NFF will commence preparations in earnest to put logistics in place for the first CAF A-License coaching course in this country since 2017,” Sanusi stated.
The latest approval is expected to strengthen coaching standards across Nigerian football, while also creating fresh opportunities for local coaches to gain advanced certification within the country rather than travelling abroad.
