Afrigather 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner Segun Odegbami has charged the Nigeria Soccer Federation, NFF, to prioritise appointing a Nigerian head coach for the Tremendous Eagles, Soccernet.ng reviews.
Since Nigeria gained her first AFCON trophy in 1980, ten overseas coaches have dealt with the boys’s nationwide workforce.
Solely Dutch tactician Clemens Westerhof repeated the feat, guiding the Tremendous Eagles to glory on the 1994 AFCON.
A couple of Nigerian coaches have served because the Tremendous Eagles head coach inside that interval, with former worldwide Stephen Keshi main the workforce to carry the 2013 version in South Africa.
The newest overseas gaffer to educate the Tremendous Eagles, Jose Peseiro, helped the West African powerhouse to achieve the ultimate of the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire final month.
Curiously, Peseiro vacated the put up after failing to agree with the NFF on phrases relating to the extension of his expired contract.
Subsequently, the NFF has declared the Tremendous Eagles head coach place vacant and has referred to as for events to use.
Regardless of a number of Nigerian coaches – together with Emmanuel Amunike, George Finidi, and Sylvanus Okpala – displaying curiosity within the high job, the NFF may very well be open to hiring one other overseas coach for the Eagles.
Nonetheless, Odegbami has charged the NFF to think about solely high Nigerian coaches for the Tremendous Eagles teaching job.
The 1980 AFCON high scorer is satisfied that indigenous coaches are certified sufficient and might be extra passionate in regards to the nationwide task than their overseas counterparts.
“Nigeria should now place her future within the fingers of certified and patriotic Nigerians,” Odegbami wrote in his column within the Complete Sports.
“The Tremendous Eagles should carry the banner of Nigeria proudly and with none dilution of its spirit to realize final greatness on the earth.
“The coach of the Tremendous Eagles should put on the nation’s ambition like a cloak.
“If the worth of the elevation of Nigeria and the emancipation of the Black Race is that we ‘lose’ now to achieve expertise and eventual success, we should pay that worth. That’s the path to go.
“No extra overseas coaches in Nigeria! Allow us to sink or swim with Nigerians, even in soccer!”
Nigeria play towards bitter rivals South Africa within the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in June.
The NFF might be anticipated to nominate the brand new head coach earlier than that encounter as Nigeria look to keep away from the frustration of lacking out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
N.B: Do you agree with Segun Odegbami that Nigerian coaches are able to deal with the Tremendous Eagles? Go away your feedback beneath.
