The Rivers State Football Coaches Association has dissociated itself from a ‘purported’ coaching course organized by the Football Coaches Association of African Nations (FCAAN) scheduled to take place in Port Harcourt on Thursday, 3 June 2021.

Rising from an emergency executive meeting, chairman of the Rivers State Football Coaches Association Stanley Eguma stated that the one-day coaching course does not have the approval of their national body – the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, and the Rivers State Football Association, thereby declaring it ‘illegal’ and ‘null and void’.

“The reason why we are holding this meeting is because the Nigeria Football Coaches Association did not approve such coaching programme,” the Rivers United coach said. “And again, the Rivers State Football Association did not also approve such programme.

“Therefore, the Rivers State Football Coaches Association dissociates herself from such programme being held by FCAAN in Port Harcourt.”

Eguma also warned members of the association of possible sanctions if they attend the coaching programme, adding that certificates issued by FCAAN at the coaching course shall ‘remain invalid’ and ‘not recognized’ by the Rivers State Football Coaches Association.

“And we use this medium also to remind our members that no one should attend such programme, as defaulters will be sanctioned, because the programme is illegal and null and void,” he warned.

“The Nigeria Football Federation have declared it illegal, and the Nigeria Football Coaches Association have also declared it illegal. Therefore, our members are restricted from attending such programme.

“And again, we want to also inform the general public that any certificate issued during this purported coaching course shall remain invalid and not recognized by the Nigeria Football Coaches Association.”