NFF Unveils CAF Coaching Courses as Unity Cup Gets FIFA Recognition

By Paul Joseph

The Nigeria Football Federation has unveiled plans to organize a CAF B-License refresher programme and a CAF A-License coaching course as part of efforts to strengthen football coaching standards across the country.

According to the federation’s Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, the initiative forms part of the NFF’s wider strategy to improve coaching capacity at elite and grassroots levels.

The CAF B-License refresher course is scheduled to hold from June 20 to June 24, 2026, while the CAF A-License programme will run in six modules between August 2, 2026 and February 7, 2027.

Nigeria was recently readmitted into the CAF A-License convention after being absent from the programme for nine years.

Eligible applicants for the CAF A-License course must be active coaches working with national teams or clubs in the NPFL, NNL, NWFL and NLO. Candidates are also required to possess a CAF B diploma, computer literacy skills, access to a laptop or tablet, a valid medical certificate, curriculum vitae and a reference letter.

The federation disclosed that only 25 candidates will be selected for the CAF A-License programme after passing pre-assessment tests and the CAF B refresher course.

Nigerian applicants for the CAF A-License course are expected to pay N3 million, while foreign participants will pay $3,000 each. The CAF B refresher course will cost Nigerian coaches N700,000.

The NFF also announced that applications for the CAF A-License programme will close on May 31, 2026, while pre-course assessments will take place virtually and physically between June 1 and June 23.

Meanwhile, organisers of the Unity Cup have confirmed that this year’s tournament has been officially granted FIFA Tier 1 status ahead of the competition scheduled for later this month in London.

The tournament, which will take place at Charlton Athletic’s Valley Stadium, will feature Nigeria national football team, Jamaica national football team, India national football team and Zimbabwe national football team.

Nigeria will face Zimbabwe in the opening semi-final on May 26, while Jamaica will take on India the following day. The third-place match and final are scheduled for May 30.

Organisers described the FIFA Tier 1 designation as a major boost for the competition, noting that all matches will now enjoy full international recognition under FIFA regulations while promoting football and cultural unity among diaspora communities.