File photo: Nigerian team (Photo: AFP)
Nigeria sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi revealed that he has pledged the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to hire a domestic tactician instead of signing a foreign one to be in charge of the national team.
Special Assistant to the Minister on media, Julius Ogunro announced that Abdullahi held a meeting with the NFF members and asked them to begin the process of engaging a qualified and competent Nigerian who understands the dynamics and workings of football in the country.
"The directive was given at a meeting he had with the NFF, in which he also asked the body to begin the process of engaging a qualified and competent Nigerian for the role." Ogunro said.
"The Minister explained that the decision was necessary as there are many competent Nigerians who have knowledge of grassroots football in the country and are better suited for the role of a Technical Director, whose main function is to identify and groom local talents.
"We cannot engage somebody who will take so much time in indentifying with talents in this country, so it is better to have a Nigerian who will start real work from day one." The minister assistance concluded.
The Nigeria Football Federation had appointed Belgian Tom Saintfeit since March but work permit issues had prevented him from resuming.
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