Super Eagles assistant coach Jean Francois Loscuito reveals why he agreed to work with Sunday Oliseh, and his love for local dishes in Nigeria in this interview with Completesportsnigeria.com's ADEBOYE AMOSU…
You were virtually an unknown figure to Nigerians before your appointment as Super Eagles assistant coach, can you tell us more about yourself?
My name is Jean Francois Loscuito. I am a Belgian. My first main coaching job in Africa was with Togolese side, Anges de Notse, and we played in the CAF Champions League against Enyimba during my time with them. I also worked in Rwanda with Rayon Sports.
My last job before coming down to work in Nigeria was with Burkina Faso side, ASFA Yennenga. I spent one year at the club before Mr Sunday Oliseh called me in July and asked me if i could work with him in Nigeria.
It was an offer I could not turn down as Nigeria is one of the best footballing nations in the world. I watched Oliseh play for the Super Eagles in his active days. He was one of the best players in Africa then. It is a dream come true for me to work with some of the best players in Africa now.
How is your family, wife and kids?
(Long laughter) I'm married. My wife is also a Belgian, she lives in Belgium with my kids. The number of kids I have i wouldn't want to talk about that.
I do travel to Belgium to see them whenever I'm on holiday.
How challenging has it been for you to work here in Africa without your wife and kids staying with you?
It has been tough I must confess. But I love it right here because Africans are nice people. The fans are good. They love football and always come out in large numbers to support their teams.
It was tough at the beginning, but I think I'm coping better now.
What went through your mind when you were first approached by coach Sunday Oliseh to come and work with him?
I was attracted more to Nigerian football when my team in Togo then came to play against Enyimba in Aba. I loved the quality of the Enyimba side and the way the fans came out to support the team.
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Outside Africa, Nigerian footballers are rated highly and always attract the interests of the big clubs. If you look at most clubs in Europe today, you see Nigerian players there.
So, it was an offer I could not turn down. As a coach you want to work with quality players and in top footballing countries. It was just an easy decision for me to accept the offer.
What has the experience been like for you, working here in Nigeria?
I love it here in Nigeria. The environment, the working condition is okay. I'm also enjoying the job. I have enjoyed working with the main squad and also the CHAN team.
We have the opportunity to do great things with the team. We hope to play at the Africa Cup of Nations, the World Cup as well as CHAN.
Before I go to bed everyday, I also pray for us to be successful on the job. It has been a wonderful experience for me here in Nigeria.
You have watched some league matches in Nigeria since your appointment as the Super Eagles assistant coach, how would you rate the standard of football in the Glo Premier League?
I have seen about four matches live. The standard is good. I believe the Nigerian league is better than the ones in Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and other countries in Africa.
I saw Osas (Okoro) and Etim (Mathew) in Rangers and I was happy with their performance.
The standard of football in other games too was good and I saw a lot of quality players.
I spoke with Oliseh about the two of them and he said fine we can invite them to come and play for the Super Eagles.
On a final note, how accustomed are you to Nigerian food?
I like Nigerian food, it is very good. When I was in Togo, Rwanda and Burkina Faso I ate the local food there too. I love plantain, yam, eba, amala. They are all good.
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