Former Nigeria U17 and Tanzania national team coach, Emmanuel Amunike has advised the Nigeria Football Federation to devolve power to states’ Football Associations to foster talent discovery in the country.
Amunike suggested that Nigeria can produce more football stars like newly-crowned African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen if there is a plan that will empower state FAs nuture talents.
The former Barcelona striker invited Osimhen to the Golden Eaglets’ set-up where he dazzled at the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2015, winning the Golden Boot, Silver Ball and ultimately the coveted age-grade trophy.
Amunike told the media: “Yes, we have Osimhen today but we should be thinking in the next 10 years who are those that will replace the present generation and we need holistic approach.”
Osimhen has established himself as a household name not only in Nigeria but in Italy where he guided Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years last season.
When asked about ways to dsicover new talents in Nigeria, he said: “When you look at the diversity of Nigeria and the factors in terms of religion, tribe and everything, we have to create an inclusive programme which is about assuming more responsibilities to the state FAs where they can have more authority and power to develop their state football.”
The 1994 African Footballer of the Year added that regional competitions would help Nigeria to identify new talents that will also make regional coaches more productive.
“Then you can come up with a plan to create regional teams whereby people or scouts from the NFF can monitor the talents whenever any competition is going on.
“Football has evolved and alot has changed, we need people with vision that understand we have to continue to develop and see how we can bring in new generation. We should look at enhancing the state FAs for more talents discovery, the reason for emphasis on state FAs is because we have many players in the regional level that do not have the privilege of going to Abuja.
“We need to create an environment where the states can identify and develop their own players, and the coaches in each state will also be relevant because not everybody can come to Abuja.”
