Nigerian Football
National Institute for Sports collaborates with Lagos FA for coaches’ training
BY JOHN JOSHUA AKANJI
The Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association Hajji Gafar Liameed has reiterated his commitment towards the implementation of the agreement between the Lagos State FA and the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Lagos for the training and certification of Coaches in Lagos.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the Director-General of NIS Professor Olawale Moronkola in Lagos on Thursday, Hajji Gafar said “NIS coaching training and certification is now compulsory for all coaches in Lagos State.
“This is towards obtaining the FA Coaching Licensing in order to be able to operate in the State. We are happy for this great opportunity to Collaborate with the National Institute for Sports to upscale our coaches”
While thanking the Chairman for his pragmatism and spirit of sportsmanship, Professor Moronkola said the NIS was ready to implement the terms of the MOU to the letter.
Hajji Gafar assured him that the FA was ready to continue with the signed MOU since it was done in the best interest of football development in Lagos State.
Hajji Gafar disclosed that 52 coaches have been licensed in line with Statutory FA licensing rules which stipulate that only coaches certified by NIS will be recognized by the FA.
He said coaches who are not too lettered will be trained in batches of 50 for three months which take place on Saturdays starting from September 14th, running through October and November for the first batch.
Interpreters will be engaged for the training/certification so that coaches can be properly trained and certified in their most preferred language.
“Our dream is to ensure that at least 2,000 coaches are certified within two years . Hopefully, the training will commence on September 14th, 2024 and it will be done in batches”
The DG assured that the training/certification will get underway in early September after a brief opening ceremony at the National Institute for Sports Lagos.
The training/certification is part of the vision of the Director-General Professor Moronkola at ensuring that coaches are upgraded in modern Football coaching philosophy and technique.
Remo Stars on Saturday made it two straight wins in the Nigeria Premier League after labouring to a 1-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure to follow-up their last weekend 2-0 away win over Abia Warriors.
On Saturday, under eight minutes they shot ahead through Shuaibu Ibrahim. That was where the story ended as Sunshine Stars came up strongly and almost stalemated scores.
The win, though narrow, is enough to temporarily take Remo Stars to the top of the log after two games.
They are followed by Rivers United who beat Heartland 3-1. It is the second consecutive 3-1 loss that Heartland are getting in the two-week old season.
The situation could change on Sunday when other matches are played.
On the card are: Akwa United hosting Abia Warriors while Kano Pillars will be away to Bayelsa United.
Katsina United host Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes will be home to Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars will host Plateau United.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.
Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.
Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.
“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.
According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.
Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.
Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.
He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.
To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”
The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.
The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.
Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
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