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Former Nigeria international, Friday Ekpo has expressed his support for increasing the involvement of former international players in coaching roles with NPFL teams.

Ekpo’s comments come in the wake of Finidi George’s recent appointment as the head coach of Rivers United.

Ekpo congratulated Finidi George on his new role and emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for ex-internationals to take up coaching positions in NPFL clubs.

“Whether you’ve played for the Super Eagles or not, and you’re a coach, you need to show your class. You need to be given the opportunity to train a club, either in your home or somewhere else,” Ekpo stated.

He highlighted the natural progression of mentorship and growth within the football community, noting that as older coaches retire, it is essential for younger coaches to step up and fill their roles.

“The older ones who really gave us the opportunity to be players are growing older, so younger ones too will take their place. And when those ones grow older, they will surely live for the other ones to pick up the mantle.”

Ekpo praised the development of ex-internationals taking up coaching roles and stressed the importance of starting at the grassroots level to build a strong foundation for future success.

“I think it’s a good thing, a good development for ex-internationals who are into coaching. We too must start somewhere. That somewhere should be from the grassroots so that we know where we are going, we will know what we are going to face in the future.”

Referring specifically to Finidi, Ekpo commended his decision to take on the challenge at Rivers United and expressed his hope that more opportunities would be provided to other former internationals.

“I think Finidi George has done that and taken that job at Rivers United. So I think others too should be given that opportunity.”