Former Super Eagles midfielder Duke Udi has praised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for restoring the CAF B Coaching Licence course after an eight-year absence, describing the move as a crucial step toward modernising Nigerian football and improving the technical quality of its coaches.
Udi, now a coach himself, said Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind while other African nations, particularly Morocco, now regarded as the continent’s coaching benchmark, continue to produce highly qualified, modern, and tactically advanced trainers.
“This is a great step. The NFF has done well bringing back the CAF B course. But it must not stop here,” he said.
The former midfielder stressed that the course should be held every two years, ensuring consistent growth and alignment with global coaching trends.
“If we want to catch up with the world, coaching education must be continuous. Every two years at minimum,” he emphasized.
Udi highlighted the rapid evolution of football, noting that today’s game requires coaches who understand modern systems, data analysis, technology-based performance tracking, and advanced tactical frameworks, things that cannot be mastered through outdated methods.
“Football has gone digital. The days of analog coaching are gone. Today’s game is driven by technology, analysis, and innovation,” he said.
He pointed to Morocco’s success, including their landmark run to the 2022 World Cup semifinals and dominance in youth football, as evidence of the power of structured coaching education.
“Morocco is far ahead because their coaches are trained at the highest level. Many of them already have pro licences. Nigeria must get there too,” Udi explained.
He stressed that Nigeria’s long-term football progress depends heavily on having qualified coaches at grassroots, academy, and elite levels.
“If the coaches are not upgraded, the players will not grow. Everything starts from the coach,” he noted.
Udi urged the NFF to institutionalize coaching courses and ensure they are accessible, affordable, and consistently monitored for quality.
He concluded with a clear message:“This is the right step. But we must keep going. Nigeria needs more educated, modern coaches, that is the foundation of future success.”
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