National Teams
Stella Mbachu: Nigeria legend calls on NFF to hire indigenous coach for Falcons
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Former Super Falcons player Stella Mbachu has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to consider hiring an indigenous coach for the national women’s team following the expiration of American coach Randy Waldrum’s contract after the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Mbachu emphasized that Nigerian coaches have demonstrated their capabilities and have achieved significant success comparable to their foreign counterparts.
In an interview with Brila FM, Mbachu stated, “We have good indigenous coaches, and I prefer them to handle the Super Falcons. I don’t see what the foreign coaches have done that the indigenous coaches haven’t done.”
She recounted the successes of past indigenous coaches like Ismaila Mabo, Uche Eucharia, and Florence Omagbemi, noting their contributions to the team’s achievements.
Mbachu argued that the accomplishments of foreign coaches do not surpass those of their Nigerian counterparts, asserting that the focus should shift to local talent.
“Indigenous coaches can do better; hence, I prefer them to a foreign coach,” she added. While acknowledging that the final decision rests with the NFF, she believes it’s time to give local coaches a chance to lead the team.
Having been part of Nigeria’s golden generation of women’s football, Mbachu has since transitioned to coaching, recently working with Heartland Queens in their bid for promotion to the women’s top-flight league in 2022.
