Desmond Ekwueme
It is no longer news that Senegal have won all trophies of CAF men's tournaments for national teams. But what should be news is discovering the secret of their success.
For a nation not upto Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi put together in size or landmass. For a nation not as populated as Kano, Kaduna and Katsina put together For a nation nowhere near Delta in wealth to make a CLEAN SWEET of al trophies in the continent is an amazing feat that needs to be understudied.
The AFCON, African Beach Soccer tournament, the U-23 AFCON, the U-20 AFCON and now the U-17 AFCON. It's just a matter of time for them to find the magic of taking this dominance of African football to the global stage. Why won't any sane nation or FA go on a study mission or visit of Senegal to understand how they got to this enviable but laudable height.
INDIGENOUS COACHES FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
Interestingly, while most countries of Africa hire foreign coaches, or managers or technical advisers to handle their national teams, oversee the development of the age grade teams and build grassroots programs that will propel domestic clubs to excel and dominate the continent, Senegal have decided to look inwards to build their football with indigenous coaches from top to bottom.
Without a foreign coach, they qualified for Qatar 2022 World Cup and won the AFCON in Cameroun. Both feats were achieved under Aliou Cisse.
Cisse captained the Teranga Lions to a graceful quarter final finish in Japan/Korea 2002 World Cup. The success of Senegal's U-23, U-20 and U-17 teams are products of the success story of the Teranga Lions and Cisse.
BANDWAGON EFFECT
It is simply a bandwagon effect. It is like a winning virus and a magic streak that struck the nation's football life. They built on something and every part of the system keyed into it to improve and excel.
Senegalese FA looked inward. They tackled their problems internally….not by engaging or hiring a foreign manager or technical adviser.
They knew the problem with their football was rooted in their foundation…and only those who know can help in solving them. Those who had been directly or indirectly involved.
GRASSROOTS AND ACADEMIES
They knew that in grassroots and academicals lie the hope of football revival or revolution and of course development. These are fundamental. They are key to success.
Senega worked on home grown talents first.
They used indigenous coaches or managers who understood the mentality and character of their players. These managers and coaches appreciate the fact that they were discovered by and through the system.
The system is built on talent hunt or discovery, grooming or nurturing and exposing them to the club sides and selecting the national team players from there.
WORKING SYSTEM WITH HONEST OFFICIALS
However, for optimal results and success like the world now witnesses, the system has or had to be run by honest, sincere and goal-oriented individuals who are equally patriotic. Persons who think Senegal first….and not their pockets.
These administrators plug back the grants from FIFA and other internally generated revenues or funds from.sponsors into developing the sport.
Can the NFF leadership or board members go for lecture class to understudy the growth or rise of Senegal football? This writer thinks, the NFF needs this class. They can despatch a team of technical committee members made up of ex-internationals who are based in Nigeria to visit Senegal and tao from their wealth of experience.
UNITY BREEDS SUCCESS
The Senegalese are bonded by their love for country and unity amongst all regions of the country. This leads to productivity. A people or nation divided cannot stand. When we destroy merits in appointments of coaches and selection of quality players on the slab of nepotism, ethnicity, favoritism or religion, we can't produce a sound football system.
Today, we allow bribe collectors who arguably didn't even play football..let alone playing upto the national team level handle national teams of various tiers while ex-internationals who have the capacity and experience are shut out with flimsy excuses.
If those who know the sport are not allowed to come in and do what they know best, we will continue running round a circle thinking we are progressing. It's already 10 years that Super Eagles or Nigeria last won the AFCON. Who knows when the trophy will land in the country again? Many have even forgotten the last time Flying Eagles won CAF or AFCON U-20 tournament. That's how bad things have been with Nigeria football.
NFF OVER TO YOU
It is not by chance or stroke of luck that Senegal has achieved all they have within just six years. There's something they know that the rest of Africa don't know. The NFF must try to unravel this mystery of success.
In unraveling the mystery of Senegal's success, the NFF should if possible, send on mission of fact finding a four-man team of ex-internationals to meet and discuss with Senegalese FA and also interact with the likes of Aliou Cisse.
There are Nigerians who understand and speak French language. One or two could be part of the visiting team for proper and fruitful discussion and of course better understanding. No knowledge is a waste.
The choice is ours!!!