By Samuel Amina ,Kaduna
Former Nigerian midfielder Moses Adams, has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to appoint Austin Eguavoen as the head coach of the Nigerian national team.
Adams, who now focuses on youth football development through his academy, M&D International Football Academy in Kaduna, made this appeal during a media briefing after a training session with academy players.
Adams praised Eguavoen’s performance in his recent stint as coach, stating that despite the short time frame, Eguavoen demonstrated excellent leadership and tactical skills.
“Given the opportunity on a permanent basis, he could continue to inspire confidence and foster teamwork among the players,” Adams said.
The former midfielder also expressed concerns over the state of grassroots football in Nigeria, lamenting its decline. He highlighted how countries like Rwanda and others once looked up to Nigeria for football inspiration but noted that the current situation is dire.
“Grassroots football in Nigeria is dying, and immediate action is needed to revive it,” he added, calling for the federal government to declare a state of emergency on grassroots football.
Adams emphasized the importance of identifying and nurturing young talent, stressing that opportunities should be based on merit rather than politics. “We need the right talents to be given the chance to perform. Government involvement should focus on supporting talent, not stifling it. This is why Nigeria is paying the price now,” he said.
Through his academy, Adams, alongside co-founder Dayo Davies, is committed to developing young players by scouting talents from rural areas across Nigeria.
He mentioned that several players from his academy will soon leave for trials in Europe, providing them with the platform to succeed on the international stage. “We are working hard to give our players the chance to have successful careers, both locally and abroad,” he said.
Davies, the Technical Adviser and Coach at M&D International Football Academy, echoed Adams’ sentiments, expressing confidence in the academy’s players.
“Our boys are some of the best in grassroots football. We train them in all aspects of the game, both technically and mentally, preparing them for the professional level,” he said.
Adams concluded by advising young footballers to stay disciplined, work hard, and prioritize their education alongside football. “In today’s digital world, understanding the game technically is just as important as raw talent,” he added.
