
In a move to improve its standing and take the leap forward as a global powerhouse in Soccer the Nigeria Football Federation this week hired a sports psychologist Ms. Kasia Muoto.
Ms Muoto of Nigerian origin who is based in the USA was a onetime selection for camp with the Nigerian national team in the 1990’s. She is an accomplished Healthcare professional in Los Angeles and an enthusiastic promoter of the use of sports for development. She runs her own Non-Profit Organization called ‘We Play to Win’.
Nigerian Soccer authorities; Emmanuel Ikpeme the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Ruth David; the Team Administrator presented Ms. Muoto to the team.
Referencing the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada this summer amongst many things she thanked the NFF for giving her the opportunity to serve saying; "We need to commend the Nigeria Football Federation for employing me to propel these girls towards having good showing in all the tournaments they would participate in. My role here is to support the Head Coach and his coaching crew on the psychological aspect, mental readiness and alertness of the team".
Further addressing the team Muoto said; "I am here to making sure you girls are in the right frame of mind in all your training and matches. Doing well at the World Cup is 90% mental work and I am ready to make sure you girls are properly psyched up."
Upbeat at the appointment Head Coach Edwin Okon said; "The hiring of a Psychologist for the team is a good development because I personally requested for it. We need somebody to handle that so that we can face our job of coaching the team squarely. We need somebody like Kasia to psyche the players up every time we have matches. With her presence now, the job will be a lot easier for me and the rest of the technical crew".