Coach Wants Synergy Between Academies, Clubs

Coach of Ebonyi United
Football Club of Abakaliki, Harrison Obasi, has emphasised the need for enhanced collaboration between football academies and lower league clubs in the country.
Obasi, whose club would be campaigning in the 2015 Nationwide League Division II, made the call in Abakaliki in an interview with newsmen. According to the former Enyimba FC player, such collaboration will enable the talents produced by the academies to acquire requisite experience through weekly engagement in competitive football.
“The academies can reach various pacts with lower league clubs to lease their players to the latter.
“This will be under arrangements that will be approved by the National League and Nationwide League Boards alongside the Nigerian Football Association (NFA).
“This will go a long way to enhance the quality of the lower leagues and make the clubs compete favourably with the premier league clubs in competitions such as Federation Cup,” he said.
Obasi said such development would have positive effects on the nation’s football, especially with the present NFA board’s desire to entrench a sustainable football culture in the country.
“This will enable the players in lower leagues to acquire the necessary technique and experience needed to compete in the premier league whenever such opportunities become available.
“The national teams, especially those in the junior-cadre, will benefit immensely as they will have players that have been groomed to compete at the highest levels.
“The football philosophy of Coach Manu Garba, can then be sustained and used as a reference point,” he said.
He also called for enhancement in the capabilities of coaches handling lower league clubs for the overall promotion of lower leagues.
“Coaches in these leagues should be sent on refresher courses abroad to acquaint them with modern knowledge and intricacies in football to enhance their performances.