The decision on who will be the substantive coach of the senior national team of Nigeria has been moved to the end of April by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Super Eagles will prosecute the upcoming friendly games against Ghana and Mali respectively with Finidi George, who was one of the assistants to former coach Jose Peseiro on the touchline as the interim head coach.
After the game, we are made to understand that a decision will be made on who will be the coach of the team in permanent capacity with Finidi expected to keep his position as one of the assistants of the expected coach. He is likely to be handed more responsibility with the CHAN Eagles as head coach.
A chieftain of the NFF who spoke to us on the condition of anonymity said around 500 coaches applied for the post of the head coach of the team after they made it open for interested candidates to apply.
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When pressed on who is the favourite he said , a Portuguese is likely going to be replacing fellow Portuguese Peseiro as the coach, and explained why it is so at least for now. ” António Conceição is the leading candidate for the job because he meets all the criteria but the most important thing is reaching a compromise on what he will earn”, a chieftain of the NFF said.
” He has African experience, boast of the highest qualification and more experienced than the rest in the queue for the job. Two years ago he had a chance but wasn’t favored. We wait to see by next month”, he concluded on the Portuguese.
” For Emmanuel Amuneke, his case is strong thanks to you guys in the media but his desperation is what we are wary about, particularly how he got the job to assist Austine Eguavoen. More like using powers at the top to join the crew and he may even muddle up the NFF and blackmail them while on the job with his media if he is not getting his way. That’s a high risk to start with.
” Finidi George will work with whoever gets the nod to handle the team because he will act s the link between the new coach and the team. He has been around for almost two years but with all due respect not quite sure he can step up to the head coach role now. Yes he won the league with Enyimba last season but this is the Super Eagles, it goes beyond coaching the players”, he concluded.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
