NFF Retains Eguavoen As Eagles Technical Adviser, Names Amuneke Chief Coach

 

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has retained Austine Eguavoen as the interim technical adviser of the Super Eagles.

This was confirmed in a statement issued by the football body on Monday evening.

“The NFF Board has approved a recommendation of the Technical and Development Committee retaining Augustine Eguavoen as Technical Director/Technical Adviser (interim) while Emmanuel Amuneke becomes the Chief Coach of the Super Eagles. Salisu Yusuf will be the 2nd Assistant Coach/Chief Coach of the CHAN team and Joseph Yobo will be 3rd Assistant while Aloysius Agu remains the Goalkeepers’ Trainer,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi announced.

The latest move comes on the heels of Nigeria’s outing at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations where the Super Eagles were stunned by Tunisia in a round of 16 game after an outstanding showing in the group stage. Nigeria’s next assignment is the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff against Ghana billed for March.

Earlier, the NFF had said Portuguese coach, Jose Peseiro, will be in charge of the team after the AFCON following the dismissal of Gernot Rohr. Peseiro was expected to be an observer at the just-concluded continental showpiece.

But Monday’s development means the former Al Ahly manager will have to look elsewhere. However, the football body is not ruling out the possibility of Peseiro coaching Nigeria in the future.

“We acknowledge and appreciate the interest that Mr Jose Peseiro has shown in Nigeria Football during our very cordial discussions and have absolutely no doubt about his capacity. We believe that perhaps in the future, there could be an opportunity to work with him,” the NFF statement explained.

“However, in view of the positive performance of the Super Eagles at the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations which has given hope to Nigerians and boosted our confidence in the present coaching crew to qualify us for the World Cup in Qatar, we have decided to accept the recommendation of the Technical and Development Committee to retain the Eguavoen-led coaching crew and strengthen it with the addition of Emmanuel Amuneke.”