The decision on who will be the next coach of the senior national team of Nigeria is expected to be the hottest topic on the Nigerian football space following the announcement by head coach Jose Peseiro that he is no longer the coach of the team, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Although the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are still in talks with the coach over an extension of his deal, but a disparity in what he should earn as monthly pay will likely bring to an end any plan of an extension, if they fail to reach a compromise by the end of this month.
However, a group of former Super Eagles players have already submitted their preferred candidate for the job to the minister for sports senator John Enoh, when they met with him before the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
Prior to the AFCON, they were doubts on extending the deal of Peseiro to cover the period of the tournament and a group of players led by Austine Eguavoen, Daniel Amokachi and Sunday Oliseh met with the minister where Emmanuel Amuneke was proposed as the suitable candidate to replace the Portuguese in the event of his likely departure.
The former Barcelona winger they say will be assisted by one of them, which will likely be Daniel Amokachi who recently upgraded his coaching qualifications. The minister gave them his words that Amuneke will be considered when the position becomes vacant.
Now that the position is officially vacant, the NFF have come under increasing pressure but not from the minister, but from those with interest in the former Nigeria U17 and U20 coach getting the job, however the first priority of the football house is to extend the deal of Peseiro.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
