Saintfiet v Renard: Ex-Nigeria U17 assistant coach hints Frenchman is better candidate for Super Eagles job

Former Golden Eaglets assistant coach Usman Danlami Kwasau has weighed in on the ongoing search for the next Super Eagles coach, with speculation linking Tom Saintfiet and Hervé Renard to the position.

The Super Eagles have been without a head coach since Finidi George resigned after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) decided to appoint a foreign technical adviser.

The decision came after Nigeria's disappointing results in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June, where the team managed only a 1-1 draw against South Africa and suffered a 2-1 loss to the Republic of Benin in Ivory Coast.

Nigeria now faces an uphill battle to secure World Cup qualification, sitting fifth in their group with three points from four games.

Several foreign coaches have been linked to the vacant Super Eagles position, including Janne Andersson, Tom Saintfiet, and Hervé Renard.

Speaking exclusively to allnigeriasoccer.com, Kwasau expressed his preference for Renard, citing his proven experience and success in African football.

"Well in addition to the Super Eagles the coach that I think is right for the job, I can really say but I think we should go for the one that has experience in African football and has gotten results in Africa," Kwasau said.

"No coach is bad but it is the way you go about the PHILOSOPHY."

While Tom Saintfiet has earned a reputation for his tactical acumen, the former Gambia coach has yet to win a major trophy in Africa.

On the other hand, Frenchman Hervé Renard boasts a stellar record, having won the Africa Cup of Nations twice—first with Zambia in 2012 and then with Ivory Coast in 2015.

Kwasau emphasized the importance of appointing a coach with the right mindset and the ability to handle the complexities of managing the Super Eagles.

"For the Super Eagles, the problem is very enormous because I think we must learn to do things the right way," Kwasau noted.

"We are supposed to have a team on ground to build the team down and probably we will work and perfect the team, but I think the way we go about Super Eagles sometimes I look at it is just based on interest."

Adeyemmi Adewale

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