The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the Nigeria senior national team coaching arrangement ahead of the World Cup Playoffs against Ghana in March 2022.
Austine Eguavoen remain the interim technical adviser, while Emmanuel Amunike is brought in as the Chief Coach
This was confirmed in a statement issued by the football body on Monday evening as announced by NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi.
“The NFF Board has approved a recommendation of the Technical and Development Committee retaining Augustine Eguavoen as Technical Director/Technical Adviser (interim)
Emmanuel Amunike - Chief Coach of the Super Eagles.
Salisu Yusuf - 2nd Assistant Coach/Chief Coach of the CHAN team
Joseph Yobo - 3rd Assistant Coach
Alloy Agu - Goalkeepers’ Trainer
The latest move comes on the heels of Nigeria’s outing at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations where the Super Eagles were stunned by Tunisia in a round of 16 game after an outstanding showing in the group stage. Nigeria’s next assignment is the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff against Ghana billed for March.
Earlier, the NFF had said Portuguese coach, Jose Peseiro, will be in charge of the team after the AFCON following the dismissal of Gernot Rohr. Peseiro was expected to be an observer at the just-concluded continental showpiece.
But Monday’s development means Peseiro may not be resuming as Nigeria's head coach at the moment, but the future is not ruled out.
“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,” the NFF statement explained.
“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.”
