The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is ramping up efforts to appoint a permanent head coach for the Super Eagles after the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, Nigeriasoccernet.com can report.
With a focus on stabilizing and strengthening the team ahead of the 2025 tournament in Côte d'Ivoire, the federation is expected to intensify its search following a series of interim arrangements in recent months.
Interim coach Austine Eguavoen, who also serves as the technical director of the NFF, led the Super Eagles to secure a place in the upcoming AFCON tournament in Côte d'Ivoire. With his temporary tenure nearing its end, Eguavoen is expected to transition back to his technical director role as the federation seeks a permanent solution for the team’s coaching position.
Among the names linked to the Super Eagles coaching job is Janne Andersson, the former head coach of Sweden's national team. However, Andersson, currently rumoured to be in talks with Swedish club Djurgården IF, addressed speculation about his interest in the Nigerian job.
Speaking to Fotbollskanalen, Andersson confirmed that he had previously turned down proposals from both Nigeria and Latvia.
"There have been several significant offers, but I chose not to comment on most of them," Andersson explained. "Latvia and Nigeria were among those mentioned, and I felt it was appropriate to clarify that I declined them. There were also other discussions that didn’t materialize."
The NFF will need to weigh its options carefully as it seeks a manager capable of restoring the Super Eagles to their former glory and building a cohesive squad for upcoming tournaments, including the AFCON and World Cup campaigns. The federation is likely to evaluate a mix of local and international candidates as part of its search strategy.
Oluwayemi Omolagba