Current Situation: Will NFF settle for top-class foreign coach over a local one to replace Finidi?

The Nigeria Football Federation’s hunt for a new head coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria continues as they gear up for a World Cup ticket, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigerian Eagles are on the verge of missing out on the 2026 World Cup ticket after a loss to Benin Republic and draws against South Africa, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe, scooping only three points out of a possible 12.

The Super Eagles are like a plane without a pilot following the resignation of former Ajax FC star Finidi George, who cited a lack of backing from the NFF as his reason for resigning.

Will the NFF Appoint a Foreign Coach?

Reports circulating in the Nigerian football community reveal that the Minister of Sports, John Enoh, is set to support the NFF with funds to appoint a top-class foreign coach.

“It has to be a name that will inspire the spirit of our nation,” Enoh reportedly told Eagle7 FM, as quoted by the Daily Post. “He has to be a first-class coach with a track record, a pedigree, who will earn the respect of our players.”

Recently, Herve Renard was linked with the Super Eagles job after revealing he would exit his role as the head coach of the France Women’s team, although the NFF later debunked this rumour. Antonio Conceicao was previously linked with the technical adviser role before Finidi resigned.

The NFF aims to appoint the new coach before the Super Eagles’ next competitive game, the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, in September.

NFF Considering a Local Coach

The Nigerian football body is also considering a local coach as a more feasible option since they cannot afford a top-class foreign coach for the Super Eagles.

Having struggled to pay the last two foreign coaches, Gernot Rohr and Jose Peseiro, it has been suggested that they are not in a good position to employ another foreign coach.

As a result, the NFF has been heavily linked with Samson Siasia and Salisu Yusuf as potential replacements for the former manager of Enyimba FC.