NFF makes shortlist for Super Eagles job, see full list

The Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) Technical Committee is reportedly scheduled to meet on Friday, April 19 in Abuja to decide on the next head coach.

Reports indicate Emmanuel Amuneke has been shortlisted alongside other foreign tacticians, Domenec Torrent and Antonio Conceicao.

A source who spoke to Daily Post hinted that delays in appointing a substantive coach for the Super Eagles was caused by the NFF trying to manage the several interests that may arise in the decision-making process.

The source noted that the NFF will be judged by the ability of the next coach to qualify the Super Eagles for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

“Torrent is the number one candidate among the foreign coaches with Conceicao the second choice,” the source told Daily Post.

“For the local coaches, Amuneke has the best CV and experience. He is far ahead of his colleagues.

“Majority of the board members are in support of a foreign coach, while others want a local lad.

“So, either of these three men, all things being equal will get the job at the end of the day.”

Recall the Amaju Pinnick-led administration failed to qualify the Super Eagles for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

While Pinnick has said Finidi George is the best man for the top job, other stakeholders have thrown their weight behind Emmanuel Amuneke.

We can't also ignore the interest of the NFF to hire a foreign coach who has a track record and will instantly command the respect of players within the squad, the source indicated.

It was understood that the majority of the NFF technical committee members favor a foreign coach, but their role is simply advisory as it is the prerogative of the NFF executive committee to make the final decision.

Torrent once worked as an assistant to Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, while Conceicao was in charge of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Amuneke once coached the Nigeria U-17 side and the Tanzania national team.