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The new Super Eagles manager to be hired by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) would most likely supervise the national team at next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) if a deal can be struck immediately between both parties .
This much was disclosed yesterday by NFF President Amaju Pinnick in Lagos, adding the new manager can take over from Super Eagles caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen amid speculations that one of Jose Mourinho’s protégées, Portuguese Jose Morais, is favourite for the job.
“I can’t be categorical about who would be the new Super Eagles manager,” Pinnick said. “Of course, we have spoken to three top coaches and it included some of those names already being speculated.
“You know that Nigeria is a country where any top coach can make an immediate impact and based on that there is no top coach that
“We’ve discussed with Jose Peresiro, Jose Morais and Mladen Krstajić who has gone to Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv but we have our internal due process as far as head hunting a coach for the Super Eagles and we are working in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.”
Pinnick said the choice of would-be Super Eagles manager will be hinged on the antecedent of the coach as far as discipline is concerned; his hunger for winning trophies and the person must ready to make Nigeria his home.
Pressed on the likely resumption of the new manager, Pinnick said there was no time to rigmarole hence the fellow would assume immediately.
“What else would we be waiting for when the technical committee has submitted their report?” Pinnick asked rhetorically. “Once the board approved their choice, what would the new coach be observing if we are able to sign a contract before the AFCON?
“ He is coming to work and I was so impressed when I spoke with one of the coaches last night (Tuesday) as he shared the strengths and weaknesses of all our players; so we are not going to experiment.
“ Why can’t we win the AFCON ? We have a collection of the best young players . Of course , Eguavoen can do it but we also need somebody who can do it better .
“ We also need input from the outside but in case we can’t finalise a contract , we shall build capacity around the team to Cameroon but I won’t tell you that if we had the contract signed and sealed, the new coach won’t lead the Super Eagles to AFCON,” Pinnick noted.