Godwin Izilein, a former Super Falcons handler, says the interim coaching crew of the Super Eagles will succeed only if the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) allows them to work without interference.

Mr Izilein stated this in Benin on Tuesday, questioning the timing of the sack of Gernot Rohr.

He said the challenges of the national team handlers had been that of undue interference from the administrators.

“Our problem does not end with the coaching crew, management has a role to play. It is sad that some members of the NFF who have no knowledge of football always dictate what happens. You can’t know it more than the person who has played the game,” noted Mr Izilein. “Again, we must do away with the issue of ethnicity. NFF must provide a conducive environment for the coaching crew to excel in their assignment of managing the national team, and the question of giving so much to foreign coaches and less to indigenous coaches must be stopped.”

Speaking on Austin Eguavoen and others as interim coaches of the Eagles, Mr Izilein said he hoped the appointment was not a trap for them to fail.

“Let’s develop players here. We must stop looking for quick results every time. Let’s take the time to build a strong national team that we will all be proud of. The fluidity of the game should be returned and not the individual display of talents we have now,” he stated.

Regarding the sacked coach, he said, “As for the sack of Rohr, I had questioned the rationale behind it, but I want to align myself with the reasons given for his sack.”

Mr Izilein called on the NFF to ensure that the Eagles had a smooth sail at the AFCON in Cameron in January 2022.

(NAN)