NFF Celebrates CAF Approval to Restart A-License Coaching Courses

This is a landmark moment for Nigerian football! After a agonizing wait of nearly ten years, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has finally given the green light, readmitting the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to its prestigious CAF A Coaching Convention. This decision, confirmed by CAF's Coaching Education Project Manager Jaida Zakaria, means we can once again host top-tier coaching license courses right here on Nigerian soil.

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We are pleased to inform you that the CAF A course curriculum submitted by NFF has been approved. You can now proceed with submitting a request for a CAF A course through the CMS, subject to an inspection visit.

For years, our coaches have faced the immense challenge and expense of traveling abroad to obtain the CAF A Licence, one of the highest qualifications on the continent. This absence of local courses created a significant gap in our technical development pipeline, impacting the standards of our club and national teams. The NFF's Head of Coaching Education, Terry Eguaoje, rightly described this approval as "truly huge, after nine years!" It's a testament to the hard work put into revising and submitting our curriculum to meet CAF's stringent requirements.

This readmission is more than just a procedural win; it's a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian football. It signifies CAF's confidence in our federation's ability to deliver high-quality coaching education. NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi's elation is shared by all stakeholders, as preparations will now commence "in earnest to put logistics in place for the first CAF A-License coaching course in this country since 2017." This will undoubtedly foster a new generation of elite Nigerian coaches, equipped with the latest knowledge and skills, ready to elevate the game both domestically and internationally.

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This is truly huge, after nine years! Admission into the CAF A coaching convention is a big deal. This is in addition to the CAF D, C and B that had been approved at various times by CAF.

From our perspective in Nigeria, this development is particularly significant. While international media might see this as a procedural update, for us, it represents a crucial step towards self-sufficiency and excellence in football development. It means more opportunities for our talented coaches, reduced financial burdens, and ultimately, a stronger, more competitive Nigerian football landscape. We are not just restarting courses; we are reigniting the passion and potential of coaches across the nation.

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We are elated by this positive development for the cause of coaching in our country. The NFF will commence preparations in earnest to put logistics in place for the first CAF A-License coaching course in this country since 2017.