Nigeria Football Federation Delays Appointing New Super Eagles Coach

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to appoint a new head coach for the Super Eagles, the senior national football team, six weeks after the conclusion of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The coaching position has been vacant since the departure of former manager Jose Peseiro, who surprisingly left the team after leading them to the AFCON final in February.

According to reports, the NFF's technical committee has reduced their options to three candidates for the role: Emmanuel Amuneke, Domenec Torrent, and Antonio Conceicao. Amuneke, a former international player and the only local coach on the shortlist, has emerged as the preferred choice among Nigerians despite some reservations about his mixed record with clubs. Torrent, a former assistant to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, is believed to be a favorite among NFF board members, while Conceicao has experience managing in African football, having previously coached Cameroon.

Nigerian Sports Minister John Enoh has provided an update on the situation, stating that the new coach will be revealed within the next two weeks. Enoh emphasized that the NFF has taken their time to ensure a thorough selection process, aiming to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a challenging start to the campaign. "The NFF is committed to avoiding past mistakes and ensuring Nigeria's representation in the upcoming tournament," Enoh said.

Why this matters: The appointment of a new head coach is vital for the Super Eagles as they face upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic in June. Nigeria's presence at the World Cup is of great significance to the nation, and the disappointment of missing out on the previous edition has heightened the pressure on the NFF to make the right decision.

The prolonged recruitment process has drawn criticism from fans, with concerns raised about the impact of the delay on the team's preparations for the important qualifiers. Finidi George, who served as the interim head coach for two international friendlies in March, is among the local candidates being considered alongside other applicants such as Michael Nsien, Sylvanus Okpala, Sunday Oliseh, Salisu Yusuf, and Samson Siasia.

As the NFF deliberates on their final decision, Minister Enoh has assured Nigerians that the new head coach will be named before the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in June. The choice between a foreign or local coach remains a topic of debate, with supporters divided on the best approach to lead the Super Eagles to success on the international stage.

Key Takeaways

• NFF yet to appoint new Super Eagles coach 6 weeks after AFCON final
• 3 candidates shortlisted: Amuneke, Torrent, Conceicao; Amuneke preferred locally
• Sports Minister sets 2-week timeline for new coach announcement
• New coach crucial for 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa, Benin
• Local vs foreign coach debate continues as NFF deliberates final decision