CALABAR – Dr Ofem Enang, a sports enthusiast and Consultant Endocrinologist at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, on Monday called for the sustenance of local content in Nigeria’s sports administration.
Enang told sports writers in Calabar it was wrong to sack one of the most successful coaches Nigeria has ever had and plan to hire a foreign coach.
The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) had on Thursday announced the replacement of Stephen Keshi with Amodu Shuaibu at the Super Eagles.
The football body had gone on to say it would later appoint a foreign technical adviser for the team.
“It was wrong to have sacked Keshi. He has been the most successful Nigerian coach and has matched the record of the most successful foreign coach we have ever had.
“To some people, when Keshi wins a game, it is due to luck. But, when he loses, it is due to incompetence. I think we need to get serious for once.
“It would have been better for Keshi to lead this country and not qualify before you relieve him of his job. This is not the first time.
“Samson Siasia did not help us to qualify for the 2012 Nations Cup, while Amodu Shuaibu had consistently come out third best in Africa.
“He (Shuaibu) once helped Nigeria to qualify for the World Cup finals, but he was removed for Adegboye Onigbinde before the World Cup in South Korea/Japan,’’ Enang said.
While acknowledging that Keshi had his shortcomings, the football enthusiast said the way forward was for the country to continue to develop local content.
“The same man who 18 months ago we were shouting `all hail the king’ in his favour is now, just 18 months down the line, the one we are asking should be crucified.
“In the circumstance, what makes us think that Shuaibu will succeed? If he does, who takes the credit?’’
Enang said the most important game for the country was the Nigeria/Sudan match of Oct. 15 which Keshi managed to win.
“The most important game, to me, was the Sudan game and Keshi navigated it. If you choose to get a foreign coach, where do you think you will get the best of them?
“Those rated as the best are all occupied at the moment by clubs, while the rest are coaching their countries. So, what is the big deal about a foreign coach?
Enang said the NFA should have sent Keshi on refresher courses to improve his coaching skills and guide him to be bound by the terms of his contract.(NAN)