Satguru Maharaj Ji, leader of the One Love Family, on Friday urged the Nigeria Football Federation to hire a Nigerian as head coach of the Super Eagles.
In a statement, the spiritual leader said his call “is beyond emotions and sentiments” and is rooted in a belief that Africa must take the lead in its own development.
“Once again, I reiterate the need to appoint a Nigerian Coach for our Super Eagles,” he said.
Maharaj Ji told the NFF that any Nigerian coach should receive the same pay and benefits given to foreign coaches, and warned against sacking local coaches during their early months.
“Irrespective of the challenges that the Nigerian Coach may be experiencing in the job, he must not be sacked,” he said.
He added: “Appoint a competent Nigerian (preferably from one of our ex-Super Eagles players...),” suggesting former players like Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi and Emmanuel Amunike as options.
He also urged the NFF to heed his “Divine advice” or face calls for the board to be dissolved for “mismanagement and high-handed disrespect to human life.”
The calls from the spiritual leader adds to a wider debate in Nigeria about whether national teams are best led by local or foreign coaches.
Fans remain torn between both options, with a section claiming that local hires understand the team’s culture and the country's football landscape enough to incorporate local talents; others argue foreign coaches bring globally-relevant technical experience.
