SPORTS: Former Super Eagles midfielder to be handed coaching role in Nigeria U-20

Former Super Eagles midfielder to be handed coaching role in Nigeria U-20

NFF had promised to integrate the former midfielder into the Nigerian football family

The president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick has revealed that former Super Eagles midfielder Wilson Oruma will be handed a coaching role in the Nigeria U-20 team.

The NFF have stepped in to help Oruma who has been in the news lately following a relapse of his mental breakdown.

The former Nigerian midfielder had not been at his best mentally since he was duped the sum of N1.2b by a clergyman and some fake businessmen.

NFF to the rescue

To help with his situation, the NFF had promised to integrate the former midfielder into the Nigerian football family.

According to Pinnick, a three bedroom flat has been arranged for the 41-year-old and a role with the Flying Eagles of Nigeria.

“By next week, Oruma will move into my house before they finish furnishing the three-bedroom flat where he would stay,” Pinnick told Vanguard.

His story is a pathetic one and we cannot allow him to die. I am rendering this help to him from one Warri man to another. We are Warri Ambassadors.

‘’All we need to do is to show him love. I ate with him. He’s stable. The NFF will include him to play a role in our award ceremony coming up soon.

“Thereafter, we’ll include him in the U-20 national team.”

Pinnick also revealed that Oruma will be among the NFF contingent to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

“I’m still talking with some of the clubs he played for to allow him come and do a coaching course with them,” Pinnick further revealed.

Following the recent relapse of the mental breakdown he first suffered, Oruma was admitted to a Lagos hospital where the NFF visited him.

Oruma's career in brief

Oruma had a 17-year career playing for the likes of Lens, Samsunspor, Sochaux and was also a regular for the Super Eagles.

He was one of the breakout stars of the Golden Eaglets that won the 1993 U-17 FIFA World Cup.

Three years later, he was part of the U-23 team that made history by winning the gold medal at the football event of Atlanta 96 Summer Olympic Games.

He also represented the Super Eagles and won two Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) bronze medals (2002 and 2006). pulseng