Breaking: NFF Retains Austin Eguavoen As Super Eagles Interim Coach, Appoints Amuneke Chief Coach
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has on Monday announced the retention of Austin Eguavoen as the interim head coach of Super Eagles.
The federation in a statement said it won’t move forward with the agreement with Jose Peseiro who had been expected to take charge of the team after 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
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The federation also appointed former Nigeria World Cup star and former U-20 Boys’ Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke as a Chief Coach and an immediate assistant to Eguavoen.
Back in December 2021, NFF terminated the contract of Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr and appointed ex-international, Augustine Eguavoen, as interim Technical Director.
Following this, Peseiro was named as the coach of Super Eagles team while the Eguavoen, 56-year-old former Super Eagles defender, led the team to AFCON 2021.
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Eguavoen had led the three-time champions to three straight wins against Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.
He was awarded for winning the three matches at group stage of AFCON 2021 tournament but unfortunately the team lost out to Tunisia.
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Announcing the reconstitution of the technical crew of Super Eagles, NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanus said;
The NFF Board has approved a recommendation of the Technical and Development Committee retaining Augustine Eguavoen as Technical Director/Technical Adviser (interim) while Emmanuel Amuneke becomes the Chief Coach of the Super Eagles. Salisu Yusuf will be the 2nd Assistant Coach/Chief Coach of the CHAN team and Joseph Yobo will be 3rd Assistant while Aloysius Agu remains the Goalkeepers’ Trainer.
The reconstitution comes after the Super Eagles’ outing at the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon, and ahead of the potentially –explosive FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 play-off round against the Black Stars of Ghana next month.
Sanusi added;
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. 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.
NEW SUPER EAGLES COACHING CREW
Augustine Eguavoen – Technical Director/Technical Adviser (interim)
Emmanuel Amuneke – Chief Coach/1st Assistant
Salisu Yusuf – 2nd Assistant/Chief Coach, CHAN
Joseph Yobo – 3rd Assistant
Aloysius Agu – Goalkeepers’ Trainer.
