BY JACOB AJOM
Former Nigeria international, Peter Rufai has said that the functions of newly appointed technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Tom Saintfiet would not clash with that of the national team coach, Stephen Keshi.

Speaking to reporters in Lagos yesterday, the former Nigeria captain said, “there is no way of a clash of responsibilities. There are no overlapping functions between them. Instead, the two of them will be complementing each other for the good of Nigerian football.”

Rufai said the job of a technical director of the football federation was much more than coaching. “It involves multiple functions, encompassing all aspects of football in the country,” he said

Although he admitted that the football federation should spell out functions for the new technical director, it was clear that there won’t be clashes with the Super Eagles coach..

Said Rufai, “From what I know of a technical director, he would be involved with developmental football and defining a new philosophy for Nigerian football – from developmental stage to all the national teams.”

But the former Nigeria number one goalkeeper was sure the NFF could have found a “very capable hand” if they wanted a Nigerian for that position.