Late appointment of new Super Eagles coach: National Assembly summons NFF president, Eguavoen

Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that the Senate Committee on Sports has summoned the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation headed by Ibrahim Gusau, the technical department led by Augustine Eguavoen and the Technical Committee.

They are all to appear before the committee by 1400 hours today to explain the lateness behind the appointment of a new coach for the Super Eagles and also the preparation towards ensuring the qualification for the FIFA 2026 World Cup.

The Super Eagles have been without a substantive coach since the departure of José Peseiro with Finidi George being in charge during the last international break when they faced Ghana and Mali in back-to-back friendly games.

There appears to be a dilemma on whether to appoint a local or foreign based tactician as the new gaffer, thereby explaining the reason behind the late appointment.

Finidi George and Emmanuel Amuneke are the two leading names among the native coaches being linked with the position while Pep Guardiola's former assistant Domènec Torrent, is the predominant name among the foreign ones.

There is a concern as to the quality of a native coach and whether such a person will be able to command respect from the foreign based players while there is skepticism regarding the NFF's ability to afford a foreign tactician.

With the delay likely to cost the Super Eagles particularly in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Senate Committee has moved to put things in order with the summoning of the NFF leadership.

Also on the list of issues to be discussed are preparation of the Super Falcons for the 2024 Paris Olympics and that of the Golden Eaglets for the 2024 WAFU B competition.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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