From Catholic To Muslim: Super Eagles Coach Explains Conversion

I have this double culture. My dad is Catholic, so I have two brothers who are Catholic. My mother is Muslim. I am a Muslim, my big sister too. I was born in tolerance and respect. It’s my DNA. So when I take a group, I make sure that my group looks like me and that its values are extremely important in group life.

From the moment I respect the players and the staff, that is to say that I am able to explain why a player does not play, if the player needs to discuss with me, he can come at any time and we have a discussion.

But I want to tell him the truth to help him. I respect the man by doing this. My job is to make choices, to choose the best player, but my job is also to make these players progress. And for these players to progress, I have to respect men.

My double culture helps me for that. I grew up in Marseille, a city where there is a large Maghreb community. I grew up with North Africans, I was born in West Africa, my dad is white. So I can have a speech with all these communities. I have this quality, I can adapt to many situations. It’s a real plus for me.

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