Europe based Nigerian -born coach, Haruna Doda has spoken out about his strong desire to positively change the dynamics cum narratives in the country’s youth football system.
Nigeria was one of the countries to reckon with in youth football in the world, in the past, but has since lost that status following poor performances and in some cases inability to qualify in recent years for major youth competitions. This Doda blamed on lack of existing functional plan or structure that can address the issues of having a road map for the country in that regard.
This is definitely not going to be a walk in the park. But with almost a 15 years experience doing same thing in different countries in Europe, and equipped with the highest coaching certificate, UEFA A Elite coaching license, possessed only by few coaches like Pep Guardiola world wide, Doda believes he is armed enough for the task.
“I have taking my time to study and to acquire experience in Europe, hoping that one day I can bring my years of knowledge back to benefit my people, Doda revealed from his base in Malta.
“I think this is the right time to return which I believe I’m the ideal man for the role in such opportunity.
“The good thing is that I’m well qualified for such role”, he noted.
Doda has worked as youth coach at Paola Hibernians Academy and Hibernians U17, Malta, leading them through holistic restructuring that raised both their grassroots and competitive football in general.
He also left his imprints at MTARFA where he built strong foundation and introducing modern game philosophies and all time highest league positions.
He holds a UEFA A Elite, UEFA B, UEFA C coaching licenses.
The multi lingua coach, who can speak English, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian, featured for clubs such as: Os Belenenses, SD Santa Clara, Desportivo Aves all in Portugal, Bendel Insurance, Delta Steel Pioneers, Enugu Rangers and SAFA Sporting Club during his active playing days.