Next Nigeria coach: NFF to name new Super Eagles coach next week
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is reportedly close to naming a new head coach for the Super Eagles next week. The position of head coach became vacant after Jose Peseiro’s contract expired in February.
The Portuguese trainer guided Nigeria to a second-place finish at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. In Peseiro’s absence, one of his assistants, Finidi George, has been tasked by the NFF to serve on an interim basis.
The 52-year-old’s assignment was to lead the Super Eagles to play friendlies against Ghana and Mali in March. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers coming up in June, the NFF has resolved to name a manager to allow him ample time to get the team in good shape ahead of their games against South Africa and Benin.
How many coaches have applied for the Super Eagles job?
The NFF are reported to have as many as 50 names on a managerial shortlist as they weigh up the future of the Super Eagles.
Many Nigerian football fans want the job given to an indigene, and there are several of them who have applied for the position.
Finidi, the current acting manager, Emmanuel Amuneke, Sunday Oliseh, Daniel Amokachi, Henry Makinwa, Ndubuisi Egbo, Sylvanus Okpalla, and Michael Nsein have all expressed interest in filling the void.
NFF set to name new Super Eagles coach next week
Photo by Icon Sport
Several expatriates have been linked to the position, chief among them former Cameroon coach Antonio Conceicao.
Under his guidance, the Indomitable Lions finished third at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament they hosted.
This marks the second time Conceicao, a Portuguese and close friend of Peseiro, has applied to be the Super Eagles coach. In his previous attempt, he was beaten to it by Peseiro.
Who gets the nod for next Nigeria coach?
With the race for the Super Eagles coaching job heating up each passing day, it is unclear who will be fortunate to get the nod.
A source close to the NFF indicates that the board and technical committee are cautious in choosing a coach because they don’t want to repeat the mistake that cost Nigeria an appearance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
It is worth noting that Augustine Eguavoen was at the helm when the Black Stars of Ghana edged past the Super Eagles to book their place in Qatar.
Godfred Budu is a purpose-driven Ghanaian sports writer with a sharp eye for excellence. He has had stints with www.kickgh.com inkandkicks.com and ghanafans.com. He loves to talk and write about football on the African continent.
