By Gracious Akujobi
Executive member of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF Dilichukwu Onyedinma has declared that coaches for the female teams should be psychologically and technically sound to be in charge of female teams and not because they are women.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Prompt News Online, Dilichuwku, who doubles as the Nigeria Women League Chairperson said sound technical depth should be the watchword and not just because the position should be gender sensitive.
“Psychological and technical depth in sports especially in football must be an essential ingredient in managing female football players. A coach must be technically sound and psychologically ready to know what the players want at a particular moment”
“Technical know-how is very important that is the first thing a coach should possess, they should bring a coach that will take the girls back to the top because that is where we were” she opined.
Dilichukwu said further that she believes the Federation will choose the right coach for the female teams, especially the Super Falcons, be it male or female.
“We will definitely have male and female coaches for the teams; I know that gender will not be criteria in selecting the coach that will head any female national team. To me, I feel they should just take the best hand it does not matter whether it is male or female”.
Talking about the Super Falcons not having a substantive coach and the team is billed to play a friendly match with the senior female team of Japan, she said:
“The Super Falcons are supposed to resume soon that is why this issue of coaching is paramount and important for the technical department. The earlier we get a coach, the early preparation will start and this will be good for the team” she said.
The Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation is billed to seat on Tuesday to decide on coaches for the U-23 Flying Eagles, as well as all the female teams.