Former Super Eagles international, Edema Fuludu, has called for equal treatment of domestic coaches by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), emphasizing the need to provide them with the same support and opportunities as their foreign counterparts.
Fuludu stressed that for the Super Eagles to thrive, domestic coaches must be given adequate resources and time to build and develop the team.
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Speaking passionately about the issue, Fuludu highlighted the disparity in treatment between foreign and domestic coaches, noting that domestic coaches often receive far less support and are not given sufficient time to implement their strategies.
He criticized the practice of calling on domestic coaches only in emergencies and expecting immediate results, stressing the importance of providing them with the necessary materials and allowing them adequate time to work.
“We only look at the results. We don’t look at where we are coming from,” Fuludu remarked.
“You have to provide the necessary materials for them to work with. It’s not when you call them in emergencies.
And you give them 2 weeks to create a team and make a team perform. It doesn’t happen that way now. You must give them time.”
Fuludu questioned the unequal treatment in terms of tenure, pointing out that foreign coaches are often given longer contracts, while Nigerian coaches are not afforded the same luxury.
He argued that Nigerian coaches have proven themselves capable, having achieved success in tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and therefore deserve equal opportunities and support from the NFF.
“A Nigerian coach has won the AFCON. A Nigerian coach has got silver.
A Nigerian coach has got bronze. What have the foreign coaches got too? Silver, gold, and bronze, what is the difference?” Fuludu questioned.
Furthermore, Fuludu raised concerns about ethnocentrism, bias, and nepotism within the system, highlighting the need to address these issues to ensure fairness and meritocracy in coaching appointments.
He called for a departure from divisive practices, such as region-based selections for the coaching staff, and advocated for a more inclusive and merit-based approach in decision-making within the football federation.
“These are the issues that bedevil our system,” Fuludu concluded, emphasizing the need for systemic changes to promote fairness and equality in Nigerian football.
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