BY JACOB AJOM
He was a nightmare to opposing defenders and is spoken highly of by his former team mates. At the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, his quick brace earned Nigeria a face-saving 2-2 draw against Malawi in a group match.

Since hanging his boots a little over a decade ago, Clement Temile has been sojourning in Europe, equipping himself for what he has finally returned home to do – lift Nigerian football to new heights.

Looking trim and agile, Temile said in Lagos yesterday that he decided to come home to contribute his own quota to the development of the game in the country.

Temile

“I am back after a long playing career in Cyprus and Israel and ended up as a coach and manager in England. I have got a lot to offer, especially developing the youths,” Temile, who is UEFA  A licensed coach said.

He stressed that he was not too keen on any national team appointment, but will rather focus on how to organise youth-related competitions with the aim of identifying talents for clubs and country.

“I want to go to the grassroots and fish out talents, expose them and help them achieve their dreams of playing professional football.That is how I was discovered from Warri.”

The former international said in the event he is appointed to any national team, he would find out if such appointment would help his cause. “I would think twice before accepting such appointments because the project I want to embark on is my priority.”

Temile insisted he would put in all he has to ensure the programme succeeds as he would engage the assistance of some of his former team mates, some of whom have become coaches like Henry Nwosu, Edema Benson among others.