An international sports analyst, Frank Ese-Omoike, has vehemently stood against the appointment of a foreign coach for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, insisting that Nigeria should use her indigenous coaches.

The US-based analyst, a Nigerian known for his accurate predictions, declared unequivocally that Nigeria will not qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup if the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) goes ahead to hire a foreign coach. Other conditions he gave for the Super Eagles qualification include the recall of 2012 Africa Cup of Nations hero Sunday Mba and veteran goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

Ese-Omoike, who has passionately followed Nigerian football for decades, further said the President Muhammadu Buhari administration should “probe the Nigerian Football Federation, led by Amaju Pinnick.”

Speaking in a telephone interview with Daily Sports, he said: “The Nigeria Football Federation should be checked up, and they should probe those that always play politics with our football. The age-grade football we have (U-17 and U-20) have been bought up by indigenous coaches.

“Since the time Nigeria has been having foreign coaches, (except for Clemence Westerhof and Bonfere Jo), Nigeria has been failing in competitions, an example being the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. Bringing in foreign coaches is just a sign that the NFF is playing politics with our football.”

Ese-Omoike said caretaker coach Salisu Yusuf should be appointed to coach the Super Eagles. He said Salisu “knows the pattern of Nigerian football better than anyone else”. He said that Yusuf should be given a free-hand to run the team; the NFF should not interfere. He further said Amaju Pinnick should be probed for the way he controls Nigerian football. “Buhari should set up investigation to probe the NFF. They did not fully pay late Stephen Keshi and Amodu Shuaibu, they have not paid Sunday Oliseh and Samson Siasia, and they now need foreigners to coach the Eagles, so that they can pocket more money.”

Ese-Omoike further said the Super Eagles should bring back Sunday Mba, who was very active and influential for the Eagles in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, (which Nigeria won, with him scoring the lone goal for Nigeria in the final). He said Mba’s presence in the team is needed, because “he has a winning spirit.” According to him, even if Mba will not play in the team, he should be present in the team. Again, he said that Vincent Enyeama should return to the Super Eagles, with the captain band returned back to him, as the manner he left the team was not right.

•Photo shows NFF boss Amaju Pinnick.

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