Despite taking an early bow out of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, there are indications that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is likely to appoint Austine Eguavoen as the substantive manager of the Nigerian senior side.
According to reports, Eguavoen during his short stint as the interim coach of Super Eagles has won the heart of some board members of the NFF, an indication suggesting that the federation may not complete the signing of Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro as replacement for sacked German Gernot Rohr.
Many Nigerians have mixed feelings about how the Super Eagles performed in the 2021 AFCON, recording a commanding performance in the first round of the tournament. The Eagles won three successive matches against Egypt, Sudan and Guinea Bissau before being knocked out by Tunisia in the round of 16 in a shocking version.
However, despite the early exit, feelers suggest that the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF board might decide to appoint Eguavoen as the Super Eagles coach ahead of the crucial Qatar 2022 World Cup play-off coming up in March.
Though details about the situation remains sketchy, Pinnick recently suggested that there was a possibility that Eguavoen could be named as substantive coach of the team should the Super Eagles put up a creditable performance in Cameroon.
The NFF President had said the Federation could keep his job should he lead Nigeria to glory in Cameroon.
“We know that Eguavoen can do the job expertly, but we also know that he will be more useful controlling the technical department.
“If Eguavoen win the Cup of Nations, we might have a rethink. In that case, the foreign coach would become the technical director,” the NFF boss had said.
