Super Eagles job: Amuneke, Finidi not favoured

Super Eagles job: Amuneke, Finidi not favoured

The collective dreams of two former Nigeria international, Emmanuel Amuneke and Finidi George to take over the reigns as Super Eagles coach may not come to pass afterall, www.sportsunlimited.ng has gathered.

While Amuneke was initially being tipped by most members of the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Finidi George hoped to ride on his results as interim coach for the international friendlies against Ghana and Mail.

However, a member of the NFF technical committee told www.sportingunlimited.ng that the two Nigerian coaches are no longer the favourites for the job.

"Initially, we were battling the Amuneke episode because it really divided the committee. This is because we were told he's the preferred choice of the Executive committee, that only two people on the board were standing as opposition.
"Again, we were battling the press' sentiment on Amuneke, the backlash if he was not picked but we've surmounted that now after opinions changed in the match against Ghana," the committee member explained.

According to him, the preference had always been to get a foreign coach with reasonable pedigree and that has not changed, he said.

"Finidi was the knockout for the Amuneke conundrum. After the Ghana win, opinions, including that of the critical press changed in his favour.

"But were not swayed because we were focusing on the assignment of getting a fairly good foreign coach. And after the game against Mali, Finidi found himself in the same boat as Amuneke.

"As it is, Nigerians will welcome a foreign coach with modest pedigree because the country can't afford some of the best coaches because of the cost. But I'm sure we will get an acceptable candidate for the job," he said.

However, www.sportsunlimited.ng can report that the appointment of a new coach for the Super Eagles will wait until the return of the NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau.

The president, we understand, is on umrah and will not return to the country until next week.

"The president will have to be around to receive the report of the technical committee and will hold meeting with his board members before deciding who to appoint as the new Super Eagles coach," a member of the Executive committee disclosed.

Althrough last week, only few senior officials of the federation were available on their duty posts, with the Secretary General only showing up days before the Easter break.