FCAAN Excited about 2022 After a Successful Year 2021

The leadership of the Football Coaches Association of African Nations (FCAAN) has expressed satisfaction with the body’s output for the year 2021 and has declared that it has great expectations for the coming year, which promises to be highly exciting with the Africa Cup of Nations for both men and women, global youth women tournaments and the FIFA World Cup finals for men.

Speaking from his base in the United States of America, FCAAN President, Dr Terry Babatunde Eguaoje averred that organizing six courses of different grades across the federation in the outgoing year was a huge improvement on the state of paralysis imposed by the novel coronavirus pandemic in the year 2020.

“During the year 2020, we had to see what we could do through online services as the ban on public and social gatherings made seminars and workshops impossible. Based off that fact, we have to be grateful for what have been able to achieve this year, even as we are confident of doing better in year 2022.

“Our focus next year would be on higher-grade courses as we focus hard on our vision of building a large population of coaches who have sound, correct education and are attuned to modern methods and techniques, which will help to improve the standard of the game in Nigeria and Africa as a whole,” said Eguaoje, who is also Consultant on Coaching and Development to the Nigeria Football Federation.

FCAAN’s resolve and commitment to its vision ensured that it explored and exploited online training possibilities and opportunities even during the lockdowns and restrictions of the pandemic period.

“We kept going by doing online programmes and we thank our able resource persons for their quick adaption and flexibility. Much knowledge was imparted during the period. It helped us to keep the momentum of several years and go full throttle when the restrictions were lifted.”

Eguaoje added: “This year, we had one D course, one E course and two F courses in Lagos, one F course in Port Harcourt and one C course in Akure. A total of six courses in all.

“All these could not have been possible without the active support and endorsement of the Nigeria Football Federation. We are grateful for the NFF President and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick, the entire NFF Board and the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi. We aim to do even better in the year 2022 with their support and understanding.”

At the end of the D course in Lagos, Coach of Nigeria Women Premier League side FC Robo Queens, Emmanuel Osahon said: “I thought I knew so much about coaching, but attending the course showed me that I have so much ground to cover. I just can’t wait for the C course.”