A prominent Nigerian media outlet has stirred up a contentious debate by advocating for what they call the “zoning” or rotation of the Super Eagles coaching role, as reported by Soccernet.ng.
This suggestion proposes that the next coach of the national team should hail from the northern region of Nigeria.
Several names have been floated as potential candidates, including Salisu Yusuf, Babaganaru Mohammed, Abdul Maikaba, and Usman Abdallah.
The backdrop to this discussion is the recent departure of Jose Peseiro, whose contract came to an end. With the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) publicly announcing the vacancy in the coaching position, it seems clear that Peseiro will not be returning to lead the team.
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In the interim, names like Finidi George, Emmanuel Amuneke, Sunday Oliseh, and Sia Sia have been circulating as potential successors, with Coach Finidi recently taking charge of the team on a temporary basis.
However, amidst these speculations, there’s a growing concern about the regional politicisation of the coaching role.
Some voices in the media argue that there has been historical underrepresentation of coaches from the northern part of Nigeria in the Super Eagles setup.
They point out that, historically, all twelve indigenous coaches who have led the national team thus far have hailed from the southern region.
This debate has sparked broader questions about whether the selection of the national team’s coach should be based on merit or regional considerations.
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Critics of the zoning proposal argue that appointing a coach based solely on their regional background overlooks the crucial factor of merit.
They highlight past administrations, which, regardless of their own regional backgrounds, have appointed coaches whom they believed were best suited for the role.
Ultimately, the central focus should be on selecting the most qualified candidate capable of steering the Super Eagles to success, free from the influence of regional or political factors.
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The national team’s success depends on appointing a coach based on their abilities, experience, and vision for the team, rather than on their place of origin.
N.B: Do you consider the Super Eagles coaching role to be regional? Leave your comments below
