NFF ‘goes slow’ in selection of Super Eagles coach

Nigerian Football Federation (NFF)

At the end of AFCON 2023, that was in February 2024, José Peseiro, the Portuguese Manager that took the Super Eagles to Cote d’Ivoire became history. His contract was not renewed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) despite getting to the final of the championship and putting up a credible performance. Majority of Nigerian football fans were not happy with the team’s tactics, saying he is not good enough for Nigeria’s ambitions to become a world beater.

Since then, the NFF has been unable to announce a new gaffer for the senior national team. There appears to be a ‘go slow’ in the selection of the right manager for what would be a new national team.

Two friendly matches were played under a temporary arrangement with the Nigerian assistant coach to Peseiro, Finidi George, in charge. The team won the first friendly against Ghana, but lost the second. The loss to Mali may have sealed Finidi’s fate as the substansive coach, asthose who are not comfortable with a Nigerian as head have continued to point to Finidi’s seemingly poor technical performance in that match. They forgot to acknowledge that the team was notprepared for the match; they alsoforgot to appreciate the fact that Finidi worked alone on the bench without any other member of the technical crew, and several of his players were not available.

However, with about seven weeks to the next World Cup qualifying match, the debate in the media has been who should lead the team in the all important match. Should it be another foreigner or a Nigerian for a change? Every Nigerian has become an expert in who should take charge.
Amid these discordant voices, the NFF must make an announcement soon.

One thing is clear, except amongst