December 23, (THEWILL) – Amaju Pinnick, the President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), stated that the Federation will name and introduce a substantive Super Eagles Technical Adviser next week, who will guide the squad to Cameroon in 2021.
Pinnick said that the Federation has interviewed three Europeans for the role during an interactive session with sports journalists in Lagos on Wednesday.
THEWILL recalls that the previous European to lead the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, was in charge for five years and four months before his contract was terminated on December 12.
Following a less-than-stellar end to the German coach’s term, Pinnick claimed that the NFF combed the globe for a coach who would be ready to take on the assignment right away and command the players’ respect.
Pinnick admitted that he sought advice from former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho in his search for such a reputable tactician. Sunday Dare, Nigeria’s sports minister, also spoke with the renowned Portuguese manager.
However, temporary head coach Eguavoen, according to Pinnick, might still lead the Super Eagles to the 2021 Afcon in Cameroon next month.
And the football executive believes that the 1994 AFCON winner might keep his position indefinitely if he leads the Eagles to victory against all comers and returns home with the trophy.
“We know that Eguavoen can do the job expertly, but we also know that he will be more useful controlling the Technical Department. However, if we cannot get the (new) coaches to start work immediately, we will empower them to take the team to Cameroon.
“And, if Eguavoen wins the Nations Cup, we might have a rethink. In that case, the foreign coach will now become the Technical Director, while Eguavoen takes the position of Technical Adviser.”
In the first round of the 2021 AFCON, Nigeria is pitted against Egypt, Sudan, and Guinea-Bissau.
Aside from seven-time AFCON champions Egypt, defending champions Algeria, hosts Cameroon, and North African powerhouse Morocco are the other favourites capable of stopping the Super Eagles from winning a fourth continental title.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
