Former Nigeria coach Christian Chukwu is not at all satisfied with the manner in which the Nigeria Football Federation has handled the appointment of the national team's next coach.
Despite there being assurances by president of the NFF Amaju Pinnick last week, the federation still hasn't made a permanent appointment. Chukwu believes the lack of stability can only have an adverse effect on the advancement of the game in that country.
"I am very much worried with the prolonged search for a coach for the Super Eagles," Chukwu told the Vanguard.
"I think (this) should have been a straight-forward thing for the NFF to do. But I am surprised and shocked that we are still talking about searching for a coach," added Chukwu, who was at the helm of Nigerian football between 2003-05.
Despite there being assurances by president of the NFF Amaju Pinnick last week, the federation still hasn't made a permanent appointment. Chukwu believes the lack of stability can only have an adverse effect on the advancement of the game in that country.
"I am very much worried with the prolonged search for a coach for the Super Eagles," Chukwu told the Vanguard.
"I think (this) should have been a straight-forward thing for the NFF to do. But I am surprised and shocked that we are still talking about searching for a coach," added Chukwu, who was at the helm of Nigerian football between 2003-05.
During his Super Eagles tenure, Chukwu was severely criticised for his failure to help Nigeria qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He was actually suspended before the qualifying campaign was over.
Stephen Keshi, the man who led Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations title and qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, currently finds himself in a similar predicament, after failing to qualify for Equatorial Guinea 2015. Chukwu does not mind that action was taken but he resents the fact that there has been so little certainty since that decision was taken to not extend Keshi's contract last year.
"What we should be talking about is the work being done by the coach. Nobody needs to be told that a team without a coach cannot function well and when the results come in, you cannot blame the team," added Chukwu, who has suggested that there would be an accountability crisis in the national team if the matter was not adequately addressed.
Stephen Keshi, the man who led Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations title and qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, currently finds himself in a similar predicament, after failing to qualify for Equatorial Guinea 2015. Chukwu does not mind that action was taken but he resents the fact that there has been so little certainty since that decision was taken to not extend Keshi's contract last year.
"What we should be talking about is the work being done by the coach. Nobody needs to be told that a team without a coach cannot function well and when the results come in, you cannot blame the team," added Chukwu, who has suggested that there would be an accountability crisis in the national team if the matter was not adequately addressed.
By: Farai Diza
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