‘I will always advocate a Nigerian coach for Super Eagles’

Nnaemeka Okwara

Nnaemeka Okwara, a United Kingdom-based trained football scout and Chief Executive Officer of Nao Sports Management Ltd. He opened up to IJEOMA THOMAS-ODIA on how Nigerian football talents can leverage opportunities in the UK

What are your thoughts about the performance of Super Eagles at AFCON in relation to the young talents in the team? It is a beautiful thing to see young Nigerian talents coming through the ranks and giving the nation something beautiful at AFCON. The performance of Super Eagles was awesome with a five star performance in all three games especially the game against Egypt who happen to be the most successful nation at the AFCON with six titles to their cabinet. So it was wonderful. However these young players showed immense disciple and maturity by playing to the coaches’ instruction and not losing their heads, which is not easy to be honest. These young players showed heart, desire and ability to want to win which is massive mentality at any tournament, kudos to the young generation of Super Eagles.

What do you think about the emergence of Taiwo Awoniyi and Ihenacho who won tournaments as U-17 players? It’s awesome to see players who played at maiden tourneys as boy now grown adult representing the country of their birth. That speaks a lot of volume it gives me that belief that we are heading for better days with our football. Also facts and stats tells us that they are the only two forwards who went to the tournament at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and that have continued as striking partners. You have to commend the recruitment team for scouting these immense talents in Kelechi and Taiwo.

What role has scouting played in the current generation of Super Eagles? The scouting policy has