It has been over a week since the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officially confirmed the vacancy of Super Eagles’ coach.
For the meantime, the team lacks leadership with neither an interim nor substantive coach.
The federation remained silent for several days after Jose Peseiro bid farewell to the players and fans on social media.
Following the NFF’s advertisement for a new manager, the next communication was the announcement of a 26-man squad for friendly matches this month against Ghana and Mali.
True to form, one week before the games, the team’s leadership remains uncertain. The decision-maker behind the squad selection for these fixtures remains unknown.
Deji Faremi, co-owner of Busy Buddies and a sports analyst, expressed his disappointment with the coaching situation, stating that, “They knew over a month ago that they wouldn’t continue with Jose Peseiro; that’s when they should have planned and approached other candidates. Even Côte d’Ivoire, whose coach departed during AFCON, has already found a replacement.
“These friendlies are crucial, and this lack of planning is concerning.” Faremi continued that “We are fortunate that the World Cup qualifiers aren’t until June.”
Describing the situation as indecisive and poorly planned within the Glass House, saying “we will likely waste the opportunity to learn much from the friendly games and have a coach who can use those games to understand his team better. Whoever comes in will be temporary,” he lamented.Â
“Not a situation I thought we would find ourselves in after reaching the AFCON final.”
Meanwhile, the NFF has said it received over 100 applications for the Super Eagles job.
This comes amid calls for a domestic coach to take charge of the three-time African champions.
Names like Emmanuel Amuneke, Augustine Equavoen, Samson Siasia, and Sunday Oliseh are being considered.
In Faremi’s opinion, it is highly likely to happen.
“That’s a strong possibility, yes,” he said. “For one, they can spend less because money has been an issue for the NFF in recent times. What matters is the competency of the person.”
“So, what are the expectations and targets for Peseiro’s replacement?” he posed.
“The most important thing will be to lead Nigeria to the top of the World Cup qualifiers table.
 “The style and method of play are secondary; we just need to focus on results right now,” Faremi emphasised.
