A former chairman of the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Colonel Abdulmumini Aminu (rtd), has cautioned Nigerians against harsh criticism of the present leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Speaking exclusively to Daily Trust, the renowned football administrator and former Military Governor of Borno State, said the NFF as presently constituted is doing its best to move Nigerian football forward.
He said most Nigerians may criticise or express their dissatisfaction with the performance of the NFF leadership because they don’t know exactly what the federation is passing through.
The founder of El-Kanemi Warriors FC of Maiduguri, however, advised the NFF to do more in the area of youth football development.
He said “Well, the job is not easy. Someone from outside can easily criticise, but it is only those who are on the seat that know what they are going through.
“My advice to them is that they should go to the grassroots for talent hunting. There are great talents all across the country. Let them get coaches that will go round the country, identify these young talents, nurture them well to represent the country in Under 17 competitions.
“These boys, if well nurtured and well trained, will one day win the World Cup, not just under 17 or other cups.”
The former Chairman of West African Football Union (WAFU), also cited Southern American giants Brazil and Argentina as the countries that the NFF should emulate to become a powerhouse in world football.
Col. Aminu, therefore, reiterated that the NFF should go down to the grassroots to hunt for the prodigious talents that abound in the country.
“That is what countries like Brazil and Argentina are doing. They identify these young talents, some of whom were in the villages, and give them all the necessary training and support.
“That is why they have pools of great talents that can represent them in all competitions and at all levels.
“It was the same way players like Ronaldo were brought up to stardom, and Ronaldo has already started nurturing his children to become football stars,” he said.
Col. Aminu was the NFA chairman from 1996 to 1999 when Nigeria won the Olympic gold medal in Atlanta, featured at the 1998 World Cup in France and hosted the U-20 FIFA World Cup in 1999.
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