NFF may appoint foreign coach for Eagles before AFCON

The Nigerian Football Federation may appoint a foreigner as coach of the Super Eagles next week, an official of the federation has told The PUNCH.

The NFF fired Gernot Rohr as coach of the Eagles on Sunday and appointed Austin Eguavoen as coach of the team ahead of preparations for January’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

A top official of the federation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The PUNCH that the appointed coach in the coming weeks would be handed a long-term deal if he qualified the Eagles for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

“They (officials) are speaking with some coaches at the moment and they may appoint a replacement before the AFCON on a short term deal,” our source said.

When our correspondent called Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Communications Director, via his mobile line, his number was not reachable, while he was yet to reply to a text message sent to his phone as at the time of filing this report.

The Eagles are drawn in Group D of the AFCON alongside Egypt, Guinea-Bissau and Sudan and open their campaign against the Pharaohs at Roumde Adjia Stadium on January 11.