0
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has concluded all arrangements for a six-day CAF B-License refresher course for Nigerian coaches, which will commence on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja.
NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen said on Friday that the course was necessary because several coaches with the B License require renewal and upgrading before they can proceed to the A-License level. “We have been behind for a lot of licenses, but we have before now dealt with the C and D Licenses, and also the B. So, what we are doing now is refreshing those who have the B Licenses.”
He explained that due to the high number of applicants, the refresher course would be held in two batches of 25 coaches each to ensure effective learning. “For proper learning to take place, the number has to be manageable, so we are going to be having 25 people for each of the batches. The first batch will run from June 21-23, while the second batch will hold from June 23-25. After the refresher, the NFF will determine how many coaches are eligible for the A-Licence course, which will be limited to only 25 participants.”
On the facilitators, Eguavoen said no external resource person is being invited, as NFF’s Head of Coaching Education, Dr. Terry Eguaoje will handle the sessions with support from other FIFA and CAF-certified coach educators in Nigeria.
“A number of us have been certified by FIFA and CAF as coach educators, including myself, Monday Odigie, Edema Fuludu and even the NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi. All of us can effectively handle the sessions for the CAF B refresher programme.”
Dr Eguaoje added: “We are making tremendous progress in making sure that our coaches are current in the latest coaching methodologies and certified in line with CAF coaching requirements. Upon successful completion, coaches will have their CAF B diplomas renewed, and will be eligible to apply for the upcoming A-License course starting in August 2026.”
In another development, the General Secretary of the NFF, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, has said the 2026 FIFA Member Association Course for elite referees is crucial to keeping Nigerian officials in step with global standards.
Sanusi made this assertion in Abuja on Friday following the conclusion of the course for the elite officials. The two-week programme, which ran from June 7 to 19, 2026, covered young talent, beach soccer, and elite referees, including those officiating in the Nigeria Premier League and FIFA-listed matches.
Sanusi noted that FIFA deployed representatives to Nigeria to brief referees on new amendments to the Laws of the Game currently in use at the ongoing FIFA World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico. “The importance of this training is that every year FIFA sends their representatives to come and update us on the amendments to the Laws of the Game. There are new amendments which are being used now at the FIFA World Cup and they want us to put these into operation from July 1, 2026.”
He charged participants to apply the knowledge gained: “I have instructed the referees to do everything possible to put into practice what they have learnt during the training sessions so that Nigerian referees will continue to get better and gradually reclaim their pride of place at international level.”
