TheCable

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the retention of Austin Eguavoen as the interim head coach of the Super Eagles.

The federation said it won’t move forward with the agreement with Jose Peseiro who was expected to take charge of the team after the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The NFF made the announcement in a statement issued on Monday.

In December 2021, Peseiro was appointed as the permanent replacement for Gernot Rohr who was sacked just a few weeks before AFCON.

However, Mohammed Sanusi, NFF general secretary, said the services of the Portuguese will no longer be needed following a “recommendation” of the technical and development committee.

Emmanuel Amunike, former Eagles midfielder, was named as the team’s assistant coach alongside Salisu Yusuf.

“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,” the statement reads.

“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.

“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.”

The Super Eagles are billed to take on Ghana in March for a place at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

NEW SUPER EAGLES COACHING CREW

Augustine Eguavoen – Technical director/technical adviser (interim)
Emmanuel Amuneke – Chief coach/first assistant
Salisu Yusuf – Second assistant/chief coach, CHAN
Joseph Yobo – Third assistant
Aloysius Agu – Goalkeepers’ trainer