By KATE OBODO
Member of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF technical committee Christian Chukwu has described 2011 as an unfavourable year for Nigeria’s football following the chains of bad results recorded by her national football teams.

Chukwu, a member of the 1980 Green Eagles winning squad, told Saturday Vanguard Sports that Nigeria’s non qualification for any major football championship next year could be a blessing in disguise as it will afford the country the opportunity to go back to the grass-roots and start rebuilding football at all levels.

“2011 was not a good year for our football but then let’s not see it as a curse. At least, the failure will give us enough time to resuscitate our football. It will also help us face the development of the game instead of competitions. It is a time when we can get the real U-17, U-20 and Under-23 players in our teams and not crowding the team with over-aged players for competitions,” he said as he debunked claims that ex-players as coaches also contributed to the down fall of the country’s football.

“No, it is not the question of ex-internationals but having a poor football structure. I want to say that the national team job is always based on merit not because the person has played football before.

Before one gets the national team’s job, he or she must be qualified for it. So I don’t think it’s about ex-internationals. Being an ex-player is an added advantage though.

I think with what has happened to our football, our coaches will learn that the national team job is not for all comers. They should start coaching from club sides before aspiring to handle the national team,” he stressed.