FORMER Super Eagles defender and ex-Enyimba head coach, Khadiri Ikhana, has declared that Samson Siasia, Daniel Amokachi and Abdu Maikaba are capable hands to lead the new generation of Nigeria’s U-20 Flying Eagles and U-23 Olympic Team, insisting, however, that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) must allow them to work independently.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Ikhana, who spoke exclusively to a select journalist, stressed that the trio would only succeed if the NFF refrains from interfering in player invitations to national camp and match selections.
The 74-year-old football tactician maintained that the three coaches are tested and proven at both domestic and international levels and possess the experience required to drive the revival agenda of Nigeria’s youth teams, especially at a time the country has struggled to qualify for major CAF and FIFA competitions in recent years.
Ikhana spoke while reacting to growing reports linking Siasia, Amokachi and Maikaba with the coaching positions of the U-20 and U-23 national teams.
“I believe any or all of them are good enough to handle the junior national teams,” Ikhana began on Thursday morning when Completesports.com contacted him.
“They are experienced enough, tested and with verifiable track records in the game, both at domestic and international stages.
“So, I have no worries whatsoever that they are the right ones for the job, especially now that Nigeria is in serious desire to bounce back in continental and global age-grade competitions.
“But this will only happen if the football body gives them the free hand to invite and select players for matches. This is where I have serious concerns because, over time, that has been a very contentious issue.”
The former Sharks, Kano Pillars, Kwara United and Enyimba head coach lamented what he described as excessive interference by football administrators in team affairs, warning that such actions have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s recent struggles in international competitions.
“A situation whereby administrators want to decide for the coach which players should be called up to camp or who should play in a game has been largely responsible for the country’s decline in international competitions in recent times,” he said.
Ikhana remains a historic figure in Nigerian football, having become the first Nigerian coach to win the CAF Champions League after guiding Enyimba F.C. to continental glory in 2003 — a feat that also earned him the CAF Coach of the Year award that same year.
Drawing from his vast experience in the game as both a player and coach, Ikhana argued that the football federation has consistently made the mistake of prioritising young Nigerian players born abroad ahead of home-based talents.
The former defender, who won the 1980 AFCON title with the Nigeria national football team, insisted that domestic players remain good enough to form the backbone of the country’s age-grade teams.
“It makes me laugh each time they say domestic players aren’t good. What it means, clearly, in effect, is that you who are managing the domestic football are not good. It’s as simple as that,” Ikhana fumed.
“All of us played on the domestic scene, and what we were able to achieve in the game is there for all to see. So, the question is, what has changed?
“If players on the home front aren’t good for the national team, it means you who are managing the domestic game are not good.”
Ikhana further argued that rebuilding Nigeria’s youth teams around home-based players would represent a major step toward restoring the country’s competitiveness at age-grade level.
“So, I believe building the age-group teams around players from the home front is a bold step towards reviving our age-grade teams. The players are available, handy and easy to replace whoever among them is not doing well.
“No doubt, every player of Nigerian origin deserves to be given a look-in, but placing priority and concentration on foreign-based youngsters is not the best approach,” he added.