Former Super Falcons coach, Godwin Izilien, has revealed that one of the forces hampering Nigerian coaches’ efforts to get it right in players selection for international engagements is the quota system rule laid down by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for national team coaches.
Izilien told The Guardian that if the NFF stopped meddling on players’ selection for the national teams, Nigerian coaches would pick the right players to win major championships.
He explained that for the Super Eagles’ coach, Stephen Keshi, to assemble a formidable squad, he has to stand his ground and make the federation understand that quota system should not be applied in soccer.
Izilien recalled that while he was handling the Super Falcons, the quota system issue almost ruined the team’s chances of exceling, saying that the system has on several occasions disorganised some promising teams
On the sack of former Super Eagles assistant Coach, Daniel Amokachi, Izilien said since the NFF waited this long to name Keshi’s assistants, the body might also be acting on the quota system, which might not go down well with the former Togo manager.
He called on the federation to create a healthy environment for Nigerian coaches at all levels to select credible players notwithstanding where they come from.
“The issue of selecting quality players for the country’s national teams, especially the Super Eagles, would not have posed any problem, assuming the NFF stopped preaching quota system. If a coach can get the best players he needs to succeed from a particular region of the country, I don’t think there is any cause to worry. Keshi must be confident to stand his ground when inviting any player. When I was the coach of the Falcons I was made to drop some quality players based on quota system and this almost marred my team,” he said.
He also advised Keshi to put his acts “together to pick the right players without sentiments. This will not give the NFF the chance to meddle in the affairs of the Super Eagles.”
