The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday has announced the appointment of Austin Eguavoen as Interim Technical Adviser, of the Super Eagles.
The Federation also reconstituted the technical crew of the Senior Men National Team.
In a statement issued on Monday by the federation’s General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, it was announced that the services of the Portuguese coach, Jose Peseiro will no longer be needed as the head coach of Super Eagles.
Recall that the NFF, after sacking former super eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, entered an agreement with Peseiro to take over the job. He was expected to take charge of the team after the Africa Cup of Nations.
However, with the brilliant display of Super Eagles at the group stage of 33rd Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, notwithstanding the mixed reactions among Nigerians following their 1-0 defeat to Tunisia in Second round, the NFF has decided to walk back on its decision to retain Eguavoen.
Also, the NFF drafted in former national team star, Emmanuel Amueke into the coaching crew.
The statement partly reads, “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.
“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.”
NEW SUPER EAGLES COACHING CREW
Augustine Eguavoen – Technical Director/Technical Adviser (interim)
Emmanuel Amuneke – Chief Coach/1st Assistant
Salisu Yusuf – 2nd Assistant/Chief Coach, CHAN
Joseph Yobo – 3rd Assistant
Aloysius Agu – Goalkeepers’ Trainer
