• Queries Maikaba’s Choice Over Finidi As U-17 Coach
Former Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Coach Kashimawo Laloko, has described as immoral, the recent hiring of Abdullahi Maikaba, as coach of the U-17 national team since he is still under the employ of a Nigeria Professional Football (NPFL) club side.
Former Super Eagles winger, Finidi George, had volunteered to coach the team for free and is currently unattached. However, Maikaba, who got the nod ahead of him, coaches Akwa United FC.Speaking to The Guardian yesterday, Laloko said he cannot, but wonder why the NFF appointed Maikaba, as against George, who wants to offer free service.
“I do not know why they did that. I do not know why Maikaba was picked as the U-17 coach. I trained Maikaba in the Pepsi Academy in Kano. I doubt if he knows much about youth development in football.
“There are people who applied for that job, who have good training in youth development. For example Finidi George applied and you denied him. This is one person, who had been to Holland, Spain and many countries of the world.
Read Also:
“So, if this person is saying that he wants to help us in the youth development of our football, that means he knows what he is saying. The man wants to help us for free,” he said.
Laloko a former coach of The Gambia national team said he believes that one of the reasons why he thinks George was never given the job was that he is not the type that could be pushed around.
“So you may ask why did they not give him the job, why give it to someone that has a job already. Or is it because they think they cannot control him. Maikaba is not the right person to coach these young children; I am saying this categorically because I know him well.
“I think his selection is unfair. A coach who is in charge of a division one team cannot handle an U-17 team because he doesn’t have the wherewithal and the experience. I still maintain Maikaba will not have the time to do both jobs and even when he has the time, he may not handle it well. Teaching the children and at the same time senior players in a club can be confusing.
“But here in the country, employment is based on who you know. If you do not know somebody you don’t get anything. I agree a person can lobby for a thing, but a person who doesn’t lobby for things must be good. We want to appeal to the NFF to try and understand the issue on ground,” he stated.
Source: G Sport
