The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) appears to have found its new favorite for the position of head coach of the Super Eagles.
Vacant since March 1st, following José Peseiro’s departure, the position of Nigeria’s national team coach is expected to be filled very soon. “The technical committee has completed its work. This has been ratified by the board. Many factors have been taken into consideration to arrive at the appointment of a coach whom we believe will be good for Nigerian football today and in the future,” said NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, as reported by Sport News Africa.
To address the immediate need before the last international break, the NFF temporarily handed the reins to assistant coach and former international player Finidi George. “We looked at our finances and thought it was not in our interest to appoint a coach who would have nothing to do until June,” he explained. “But we have done our homework for ourselves. We are ensuring that the coach will be ready as soon as we appoint him.”
Finidi George ultimately not retained?
After securing a victory against Ghana (2-1) and suffering a defeat against Mali (2-0) in Marrakech on March 22nd and 26th respectively, George seemed to be on course to be confirmed in the position. This was supported by Amaju Pinnick, who had appointed him as an assistant to Peseiro in 2022. The former NFF chief had notably suggested the Enyimba coach for a return to intense and offensive football for the current African vice-champions.
🚨 Emmanuel Amunike devrait être nommé nouveau sélectionneur des Super Eagles par la NFF ! 🇳🇬👀
— Naija Football 🇳🇬 (@NaijaFootball_) April 19, 2024
(@ojbsports) pic.twitter.com/ZsL9h53p0d
However, the latest reports suggest that the former Ajax forward might make way for another former national team coach: Emmanuel Amunike. This is according to SNA. Previously in charge of the U17 team from 2014 to 2017, the coach who led Tanzania’s Taifa Stars from 2018 to 2019 has been unemployed for four years since his brief stint at Egyptian club El Makasa ended in February 2020. If confirmed, this choice might raise questions given Amunike’s long period of inactivity since his time with Zamalek.
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