Local News

Reliance on foreigners has stunted growth of African coaches –Nsien

US U-19 national team coach, Michael Nsien, who has applied to coach the Super Eagles, tells ‘TANA AIYEJINA about his managerial journey from Tulsa FC, coaching in Africa, his Nigerian roots and more, in this interview.

How has the experience been coaching the US U-16 and U-19 teams?

Working with the best players of a country that’s well over 300 million is a privilege. The sport has gotten its roots in the US and it’s amazing to witness. We can compete and win against anyone in those ages.

How demanding is the job of raising US future football stars?

It’s a very fine balance of keeping players both humble and also inspiring them to take on the world. There’s a lot of work in our process, but the reward is amazing.

Before the USSF appointment, you led Tulsa FC to their most successful era. What was the secret?

Camaraderie, too many times the team turned over players, that was a moment we had good core of players that helped the new players adapt to our style and culture.

The Premier League is every coach’s dream. Would you also like to manage a club there some day?

There’s no point of having small dreams. In this life you do the best you can and see where it takes you. Hopefully it’s to places you want, otherwise enjoy the experiences and the journey along the way.

Black coaches have struggled at the top level of coaching. What do you think is the problem?

The first problem is lack of opportunity. Coaches need to work, make mistakes, improve and go again. Black coaches aren’t getting the first opportunity, the few that have, aren’t getting the second. Also most jobs we seem to get have zero support and no one else wants. But we can’t say no.

African countries prioritise foreign coaches ahead of their local counterparts. How far do you think this has affected the game positively or negatively on the continent?

African countries prefer foreign and older coaches. Most of these foreign coaches are at the end of their careers and looking to collect a few last cheques. You can tell that some of these coaches are not there to make a difference. They are not connected to the country. Once the time runs out and the same results exist they move on. This has stunted the growth of our own coaches who find it hard to find jobs outside.

A local coach won the last AFCON. As a coach, what does imply?

Give, young, hungry coaches an opportunity and they may deliver if the conditions are right. It won’t be from a lack of effort.

Some say the Super Eagles coaching job is one of the most demanding in the world. If you get a call to manage the squad, will you take it?

It is one of the most demanding for sure. One reason being that there are over 200 million opinions about the coach and team selection and performance. I know I would only thrive with that type of push. As a Nigerian American coach, I definitely believe I can achieve a lot for Nigeria with the talented crop of players we have. I would also do it in the style that Nigerians want to see. Brave, relentless, with flair.

African coaches like Sunday Oliseh, Pitso Mosimane and Ndubuisi Egbo have done great jobs outside Africa, yet coaches from the continent are still not in demand, what do you think is the problem?

We know that we are a population of people that people want to neutralise. The only thing we can do is to keep pushing forward and when the opportunity comes, take it with both hands. Don’t look back.

You’ve applied to coach the Super Eagles. What can you bring to the squad if you are given the job?

I could have the squad defensively disciplined, but have the balance better in the attack. We have too many top attacking players to sit back and take pressure. Get the players to be galvanised and feel valued by the federation and within the team, and win.

Related Topics:Michael Nsien Super Eagles

Click to comment

Local News

6th JOF Kids Cup Kicks Off In Lagos

The much awaited 6th edition of the annual Under-13 JOF Kids Soccer competition kicked off on Sunday, 16th February 2025 at the Union Bank Sports Club playground on Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, Lagos with 64 neighborhood football clubs and academies taking part in the tournament.

This is one of the Corporate Social Responsibility programs of the sponsor company, JOF Nigeria Limited, a wholly indigenous manufacturing and supply chain services organisation, which took special interest in the development of talents of the Nigerian youths. The U-13 JOF Kids Cup this year promises to be more glamorous, judging from the display of the kids during the kick-off match between Shaker Boys from Oshodi and Omonia Babes of Oto Awori.

Though Shakers Boys won the grudge tie by a lone goal, it was obvious that Omonia Babes put up a display on the pitch to send a message to opponents in the course of the first round of the competition that they are not pushovers.

Chairman Organising Committee of the tournament, Samuel Omolola disclosed that the first round will be keenly contested across three centres, Union Bank playground in Surulere, Ojo Oniyun playground in Ebute-Metta and Lekki playground in Eti-Osa, adding that matches are scheduled to be played on weekends to give the children opportunity of concentrating on their studies during the week. Omolola commended the sponsor, JOF Nigeria Limited, for the support since the first edition. He assured everyone that Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association will continue to organize a tournament of high football standards that will motivate the kid footballers.

Mr. Adeyinka Adetunji, the Director, Strategic Support Services, who represented the Chairman/CEO of JOF Nigeria Limited played the ceremonial kick-off. Adetunji advised the footballers to enjoy themselves on the pitch while displaying their God-given talents.

Other registered participating teams in the 6th edition of the tournament are, Small Tiger of Epe, Rufy Academy of Badagry, Puma Boys of Ojo, Latoyam Boys of Aguda, United Boys of Ogijo, Alaro Babes of Apapa, Yinka Babes of Badagry, Barca of Mainland, Adeomo Boys of Okoko, Junior Arsenal of Alimosho, Kola Babes of Ipaja, Miracle FC of Ijesha, Young Stars of Lagos Island, Warrior FC of Agege, Bariga United of Bariga, HB Utility of Ilupeju, Oron Academy of Oyingbo, Edet Academy of Aguda, Oloto Babes of Otto, ADC Academy of Ogba, Ajegunle Boys of Ajegunle, Idimu Bombers of Idimu, Tom boys of Orile, Oworo United of Oworo, Tobi Boys of Ojodu, Rock FC of Ojodu, Ultimate Villa of Ikorodu, Royal FC of Iwaya, Stricker Academy of Oko-Oba, Dollar Boys of Ifako, Landa Boys of Okoko, Demilade Boys of Ayobo, MRS Academy of Imota, Global FC of Mushin, Fagbems Boys of Ikeja, Alaba United of Alaba, Oluyole FC of Ayobo, Ikosi babes of Ketu, St. Michael of Alimosho, B. Unit of Surulere, Amazon Boys of Ikoyi, Abey Boys of Ajah, Afun Academy of Maryland, Kamin Boys of Oyingbo, Zamadek of Lagos Island, Chelsea Boys of Ketu, Ajiran Boys of Ajiran, Okota Academy of Okota, Ola’s Babes of Somolu, Greater Tomorrow of Lagos Island, Strong Dove of Orile, Adamu Academy of Idi-Araba, Glory FC of Ikotun, Mafe Ace of Ijegun, Botife Ace of Abule-Egba, Solution Boys of Apapa, Dopemu United of Dopemu, United Star of Mafoluku, Musiner FC of Mushin, Ultimate Stars of Apapa, Young Boys of Ojo, Abu Babes of Igando and Aket Babes of Iddo.

Local News

Nigerian Player Drags Super Eagles Coach Chelle To His Club

FK Rabotnichki star defender, Sodiq Anthony Rasheed is making the right headline in Southeastern Europe, distinguishing himself as the best productive player in the Macedonian top Football League.

The experienced 24-year-old has consistently maintained top form that ranked him as the best player in the league. His versatility on the pitch is what many Macedonian pundits have described as genius.

His club, Rabotnichki are currently in the 1st position with the same 37 points with the 2nd and 3rd positions. Thanks to the efficiency of Rasheed who has scored two vital goals so far and made himself a solid rock at the defence line of the team.

Speaking on his explosive form, he said: “I am enjoying every bit of my career in the league, my major focus is to remain consistent and help my team to win the title this season. I have been encouraged to do more and I am not going to let my current performance affect my main focus.”.

Rasheed exceptional and superlative performance is sending a message to the newly hired Super Eagles coach to take a stop at the Macedonia league as he is currently moving around to shop for new players.

“I am not going to be too desperate, I almost had a chance under the former foreign coach, and maybe this time around I can be invited to the national team to prove my experience can count at the defence line. My target for 2025 is to win the Macedonia league and take big advantage of Super Eagles camp and I hope this comes to pass.”

Rasheed has become the rave of the moment in the Macedonian top league following the superlative display that saw him nominated for several Macedonian 1. MFL Team of the Week player.

Local News

Play For Super Eagles – Chelle In Contact With 29 Year Old Newcastle United Forward

Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle is not leaving any stone unturned in his bid to ensure that the senior national team of Nigeria progress to the 2026 World Cup.Nigerian football apparel, as reported by OwnGoalNigeria.

The coach made a tour last week to see players of the team ahead of the world cup qualifiers games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe respectively. He is expected to submit his provisional list of players for the world cup qualifiers to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) later this week.

He is also planning ahead of both games, and we can exclusively reveal that he has made contact with Newcastle United forward Jacob Murphy who is eligible for the senior national team of Nigeria.

Chelle had a chat with the 29 year old to gauge his interest in switching to Nigeria due to his Nigerian descent. Details of how the discussion went wasn’t made available to us as at the time of this report.

Murphy who has represented England at various level is of Irish descent through his mother and he is of Nigerian origin through his father. He is yet to be capped by any of the above nation at senior level.