NFF board to decide Super Eagles’ new manager next week

The Super Eagles. Photo: AFP

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The executive board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will meet next week to decide on the vacant Super Eagles manager’s job, a member of the federation’s technical committee has said.

The Super Eagles have been playing under interim coach, Finidi George, following the exit of Jose Peseiro, who led the team to the second position at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations last month.

According to the NFF, more than 50 interested coaches have applied to replace the Portuguese, whose contract was not renewed when it expired last month.

The NFF technical committee member, who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian that the federation wants to ensure that the Super Eagles’ new coach is settled before the team’s crucial World Cup qualifier against South Africa in Uyo.

He said that the federation has been under pressure from interest parties lobbying for their preferred candidates to get the Eagles’ job.

He added that the board and the technical committee are being careful in choosing a coach because “we don’t want to make the type of mistake that cost Nigeria the 2022 World Cup.”

The Guardian learnt that while some members of the board are inclined to handing the job to George, who has impressed within the short period he has handled the side, there is a strong lobby championed by APC Governors’ Forum chairman, Hope Uzodinma, rooting for former Super Eagles’ forward, Emmanuel Amunike.

Apart from George and Amunike, other prominent candidates for the job are former Super Eagles stars, Daniel Amokachi, Henry Makinwa, Sunday Oliseh, Ndubuisi Egbo, Sylvanus Okpalla and U.S. U-17 team handler, Michael Nsien.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles interim coach, Finidi George, has promised