Nigeria rejoins CAF A coaching convention after 9-year absence

Nigeria has officially been readmitted into the Confederation of African Football (CAF) A Coaching Convention after a nine-year absence, clearing the way for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to resume CAF A-License coaching courses in the country. In a letter addressed to the NFF on Wednesday, CAF confirmed the approval of the federation’s submitted curriculum. […]

Nigeria has officially been readmitted into the Confederation of African Football (CAF) A Coaching Convention after a nine-year absence, clearing the way for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to resume CAF A-License coaching courses in the country.

In a letter addressed to the NFF on Wednesday, CAF confirmed the approval of the federation’s submitted curriculum.

“We are pleased to inform you that the CAF A course curriculum submitted by NFF has been approved. You can now proceed with submitting a request for a CAF A course through the CMS, subject to an inspection visit,” CAF’s Coaching Education Project Manager, Jaida Zakaria, wrote.

Reacting to the development, NFF Head of Coaching Education, Terry Babatunde Eguaoje, described the approval as a significant milestone for Nigerian football.

“This is truly huge, after nine years! Admission into the CAF A coaching convention is a big deal. This is in addition to the CAF D, C and B that had been approved at various times by CAF,” he said.

Also speaking, NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, said the federation would immediately begin preparations for the return of the elite coaching programme.

“We are elated by this positive development for the cause of coaching in our country. The NFF will commence preparations in earnest to put logistics in place for the first CAF A-License coaching course in this country since 2017,” Sanusi stated.

The CAF A-License is regarded as one of Africa’s top coaching qualifications and is required for managing elite clubs, national teams, and continental competitions. Although Nigeria previously retained approval for CAF D, C, and B coaching licences, the country had not hosted a CAF A-License course since 2017.