It was a historic moment for Nigerian football as the first-ever CAF Coaching Instructors’ Course held in the country concluded last weekend, leaving a lasting impact on the nation’s coaching landscape.
The course, which featured comprehensive classroom and practical modules, was facilitated by renowned CAF and FIFA Technical Expert, Abrham Mebratu, alongside 15 of Nigeria’s finest coaches.
The esteemed group of 15 participants included notable figures such as Isah Ladan Bosso, President of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, and former Super Eagles captain, Daniel Amokachi. The course also welcomed respected coaches Alphonsus Dike, Stanley Eguma, Wemimo Oni Mathew, Henry Abiodun, Sam John Obuh, Edema Fuludu, Bala Nikyu, and Lawrence Ndaks, who all participated in the program.
The presence of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), at the closing ceremony added to the significance of the occasion. Expressing his satisfaction with the successful completion of the inaugural course, President Gusau acknowledged its importance in unlocking further opportunities for Nigerian coaches to develop their skills and knowledge.
“Without any disrespect meant, the truth is that most of our coaches are just calling themselves ‘coaches’ without having any real grasp of modern tactics and techniques. With this course, we can now begin to see positive changes as the new instructors will be encouraged to organize courses for the benefit of colleagues.” Gusau said.
The train-the-trainers program received the endorsement of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which entrusted Abrham Mebratu, a distinguished CAF elite instructor and FIFA technical expert from Ethiopia, with the responsibility of leading the course. Mebratu’s expertise and guidance throughout the program ensured the coaches received valuable insights and practical training to enhance their coaching prowess.
The CAF Coaching Instructors’ Course served as a crucial stepping stone toward advancing the coaching standards in Nigeria. By equipping the nation’s coaches with cutting-edge methodologies, techniques, and tactics, the course aspires to elevate the overall quality of football in the country.