Busari urges Nigerian coaches to use player data for development

Flamingos head coach Hakeem Busari has urged Nigerian football coaches to use player data analytics when planning individual development. He said reliable information on players’ abilities and weaknesses can help coaches create more accurate strategies for improving their wards.

Busari made the call while speaking at the Western Coast Summer Cup in Badagry, Lagos. The session was held at Larus Pitch within the Western Coast Maritime Academy and included grassroots coaches. The competition was organised by Alimosho Sports Club, led by co-founder Teslim Sanni.

The CAF A-instructor stressed that every team and player should have a clear development plan. Such planning, he said, allows coaches to monitor progress over time instead of relying only on general impressions from training sessions.

He also encouraged coaches to use smaller-sided exercises, including 3v3 and 5v5 games. These formats give players more contact with the ball and keep them more involved in training. Busari said modern coaching should also expose technical staff to new methods for working with young players.

The coach said training should go beyond repeated drills. Players must be given opportunities to observe situations, make decisions and carry out technical instructions. He added that academies should focus on developing the individual as well as the footballer.

Busari identified education, nutrition, social skills, discipline, leadership and personal responsibility as important parts of youth programmes. He said coaches have a responsibility to invest in young players’ wider development because education remains a major part of producing modern footballers.