Duro Ikhazuagbe
Regardless of enthusiasm in soccer circles within the nation {that a} substantive head coach for the Tremendous Eagles might be introduced any second from right this moment, there seems to be a twist within the matter following resolve by the Federal Ministry of Sports activities to not be concerned within the cost of the emoluments of the brand new gaffer.
There have been clamour for the employment of a overseas supervisor to exchange Portuguese Jose Peseiro whose renewed contract expired with the AFCON 2023 in February this 12 months.
THISDAY sources hinted of the management of the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) tilting in direction of contracting a overseas supervisor as really helpful by the Technical Committee just lately.
The final consider was that the Federal Authorities might be answerable for the cost of the salaries of the brand new coach.
However sources near the Sports activities Ministry confided in THISDAY yesterday that the Sports activities Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, has made it identified to the NFF that the Federal Authorities won’t be concerned within the cost of whichever overseas supervisor that’s contracted for the senior nationwide group.
Though the minister isn’t averse to hiring a foreigner as long as it doesn’t contain cash-strapped NFF working cap-in-hand to his ministry for bailout when unable to choose the coach’s wage invoice.
“This improvement has thrown the NFF into confusion, a improvement which will contain having a overview of its earlier resolution to rent a foreigner,” noticed the highest stage soccer official who spoke with THISDAY yesterday afternoon.
It’s this new twists which will trigger the NFF to now look within the route of contemplating choosing both Emmanuel Amuneke or Finidi George for the vacant job.
Nigeria’s Tremendous Eagles have two essential 2026 World Cup qualifiers towards South Africa and Benin Republic in June. The three-time African champions who have been denied qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar are third within the Group C standing after pulling attracts from the primary two video games performed Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
Rwanda are main the group on 4 factors from one win and one draw whereas South Africa are third on three factors from one win.