A former football star in Rivers State in the early 80’s, who is currently lecturing at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumini, Prof. Kingsley Bekee, has strongly joined the fray in supporting the call for indigenous football coach to tinker the Super Eagles team rather than shopping for a new foreign technical adviser.
Bekee in a no holds barred interview with Tidesports in Port Harcourt recently said that he was yet to be convinced that foreign coaches are better off, in terms of producing good result than indigenous coaches.
“Honestly, Nigeria has good and qualified coaches who are capable to hold their own and lead the Super Eagles team to greater heights if provided with enough sporting facilities, better incentives and above all, given a free hand to select the best players of their choice capable to deliver.”
“Regrettably, our indigenous coaches are passing through a lot of big challenges and their hands tied, following the existing style of quota system in selection of players for the Super Eagles team. “And l can assure you that this idea of ensuring that all ethnic tribes are incorporated had been identified as one of the major causes of super Eagles team’s poor result in several outings.
“However, l stand to be corrected that until this act of proximity and quota system syndrome in our selection of players to the national team is completely nipped in the bud,  Nigerian team’s will continue to be  wobbling in her competitive outings.”
The one time captain of Asaba technical college soccer team further held the view that it is high time Nigerian football coaches should focus more attention to school football academicals, having recalled that it was the bedrock through which great number of talented young players were discovered in the past to represent their local Government Areas, States, before they finally graduate to play in the national soccer team.
“Though, l’ m not against the invitation of foreign based players into the national team but my arguments still remain that the authorities concerned should do well to revive the school football academicals with a view to discovering budding talents that need exposure before they would be called to camp to team up with some few foreign based players to form a formidable good team.
The ebullient soft spoken Bekee who was a delight to watch during his hey days in NNPC soccer team and defunct Eagle Cement FC in 1986 maintained that the inability of Super Eagles to qualify for the world cup to be hosted by Qatar later in the year should not be seen as the end of life but a bitter lesson that will help Nigeria to correct her lapses, prepare better and stronger for another major soccer championship.