As the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) deliberates on the potential hiring of a foreign coach for the Super Eagles, former national team coach Samson Siasia has expressed his firm opposition to the idea, advocating for the talents of Nigerian coaches to be prioritized.
Siasia, who previously coached the country’s U-20 and U-23 national teams, believes that Nigeria has enough skilled coaches and players within its borders to succeed without relying on foreign expertise.
“We don’t want any foreign coach here because they are not coming to do anything. We have enough good materials at home that we should not be talking about hiring a foreign coach,” he stated.
His comments come at a time when the NFF is considering the future of the Super Eagles following their successful qualification for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) under interim coach Austine Eguavoen.
Although Eguavoen’s short-term tenure has been marked by success, including securing qualification for the continental tournament, there has been no clear communication from the NFF regarding his future with the team.
The upcoming World Cup qualifiers further complicate the situation, with uncertainty hanging over the Super Eagles’ managerial position.
Siasia’s stance is clear: He believes Eguavoen, who also holds the position of technical director of the NFF, should resign from his role as head coach of the Super Eagles.
“Eguavoen has a job already as the technical director. He should resign as Super Eagles manager and concentrate on his job. He cannot hold two positions at the same time.
He should actually decide on which one to hold and leave the other,” Siasia remarked, suggesting that it would be in the best interest of the team and Eguavoen himself to focus on his technical director role.
The dilemma surrounding Eguavoen’s dual responsibilities has prompted debate, with many questioning how effectively one individual can manage both positions.
As technical director, Eguavoen’s focus is on overseeing the development of football across the country, while as manager of the Super Eagles, he is responsible for the senior team’s immediate performance on the international stage.
Siasia’s advice to Eguavoen to make a decision between the two roles reflects his belief that such a choice would be beneficial for both Eguavoen and Nigerian football.
While Siasia’s call for the NFF to invest in local coaches resonates with many in the Nigerian football community, the NFF has yet to make an official decision regarding Eguavoen’s future with the national team.
The uncertainty surrounding the position of Super Eagles manager could have significant implications for the team’s preparations for the World Cup qualifiers.
As the NFF contemplates the next steps, Siasia’s words serve as a reminder of the growing calls for local coaches to be given more opportunities to lead the Super Eagles.
With the abundance of domestic talent, Siasia remains confident that Nigeria has the necessary resources to succeed at the highest levels without relying on foreign expertise.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
