The hierarchy of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has finally settled for an interim coach for the senior national team of Nigeria ahead of their upcoming international friendly games against Ghana and Mali respectively.
Super Eagles are without a substantive coach since the exit of Jose Peseiro as coach following the expiration of his deal, which was tied to the AFCON where the team went all the way to the final before eventually losing 1-2 to the host Cote d’Ivoire.
Despite the team not having a coach, the NFF released a list of 26 players for the friendly games against Ghana and Mali on the 22nd and 26th of March respectively. Both games will be prosecuted by an interim coach before a decision will be taken on who will be the coach on a permanent contract.
Already the NFF have received a record 115 applications for the job since it was declared vacant and interested individuals were told to apply for the position alongside that of the U17 team of Nigeria.
In the interim, Finidi George, who was an assistant to Peseiro for the entire duration of his deal will be in charge of the team for the friendly games just like we exclusively reported yesterday.
Ahead of the games, players of the team have voiced their opinion over the vacant managerial position and have made it known whom they will want to take over as coach, particularly if the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) insist on hiring amd indigenous coach for the team.
Six of them who spoke to OwnGoalNigeria.com on the condition of anonymity backed the present assistant coach of the team Finidi George to be elevated to the role of the head coach of the team.
In their words Finidi has been a part of the setup with Peseiro and understands the players and the conditions around, hence won’t need much time to get used to them considering that they have just one window to work with whoever comes in as coach, before the resumption of the qualifiers for the 2026 world cup in June.
The NFF has now bow to their demand and will reevaluate the situation and also the need for a permanent coach after the games.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
