Former Nigeria international Loveday Omoruyi has questioned the appointment of Abdu Maikaba as head coach of Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles.
Reacting to the decision by the Nigeria Football Federation, Omoruyi argued that Nigerian football needs to begin creating more opportunities for younger coaches to develop through the youth national teams.
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“Younger coaches should be given more chances,” Omoruyi said.
According to the former Super Eagles player, Maikaba is already an experienced coach who could instead contribute within the senior national team structure.
“He already has enough experience,” he implied.
Omoruyi stressed that youth football should serve as a platform for emerging Nigerian coaches to grow and build their careers gradually.
“The youth teams should help develop younger managers too,” he noted.
Despite questioning the appointment, the former international acknowledged Maikaba’s experience and understanding of Nigerian football.
“He’s still an experienced coach,” he added.
The appointment of the new Flying Eagles coach has continued generating mixed reactions among football stakeholders and supporters.
“There are different opinions about the decision,” many football observers believe.
Omoruyi remains convinced that investing more trust in younger coaches could help strengthen the future of Nigerian football management.
“Nigerian football needs coaching succession planning,” he stressed.
For the former Super Eagles player, the message is clear.
Create opportunities for younger coaches.
Use youth teams for managerial development.
And build a stronger future coaching structure.
Because long-term football growth also depends on developing the next generation of coaches.
