Nigeria Super Eagles
By Badusi Ayodeji Peter
The Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has directed its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to shop for a new Chief Coach for the country’s senior team, the Super Eagles in the next couple of days following the disengagement of the acting coach, Austin Eguavoen earlier in the week.
Eguavoen failed to secure a ticket for the country to play in Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup when the Eagles played a disappointed 1-1 draw match against the Black Stars of Ghana in Abuja.
The NFF Executive Committee, rising from its meeting in Abuja on Tuesday said that it has mandated its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to, within the next five days, make recommendations to the Executive Committee on coaching crews for the Super Eagles and other male teams, the CHAN team, the U20 Boys (Flying Eagles) and the U17 Boys (Golden Eaglets) ahead of upcoming assignments.
“This is to ensure preparations for the next qualifying tournaments and championships commence in earnest,” the NFF Executive Committee said.
The Committee further commended the Honourable Minister for his savvy in convening the meeting held among the Presidency, Sports Ministry, and NFF on Monday, 4th April 2022 to review the unfortunate outcome of the match with Ghana and agree on concrete steps on how to reinvigorate the Super Eagles and indeed Nigeria Football going forward. It noted that the meeting was very cordial, as well as established, and appreciated the fact that all that was needed to be done and/or provided by the team and the technical crew to ensure a positive outcome on the pitch against Ghana was delivered and in a most professional manner. In addition, a unique motivational strategy was put in place to spur the coaches and the players, such as offering the technical crew a two-and-a-half-year contract. The standard agreement NFF had in place with the players that they will share 35% of the qualifying bonus Nigeria will earn by participating in the Qatar 2022 World Cup was also emphasized.
While admitting that the outpouring of emotions by fans and stakeholders over the FIFA World Cup miss was legitimate, the Executive Committee urged caution and patience and assured that in tandem with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, decisive steps will be taken in the next few days to reposition Nigeria Football in several areas, including the National Teams.
The Executive Committee tendered an unreserved apology to the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria for the inability of the Super Eagles to win a ticket to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. It praised the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for his personal presence and apologised that the team faltered in the quest for a ticket to Qatar.
For his steadfastness, exemplary leadership, and warm relationship with the NFF since assuming office and especially for the FIFA World Cup playoff matches, the Committee commended, appreciated, and applauded the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare.
Meanwhile, the Committee hailed the Super Falcons for its qualification for the 12th edition of the Women Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco in the month of July, and promised to provide the team ample support for adequate preparation for the Championship, aware that the event also serves as qualifying tournament for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.
The Super Falcons’ contingent departed Nigeria on Tuesday night for Canada for a two-match tour with that country’s Women’s National Team, and will camp in Morocco for the African Championship.
The Executive Committee also commended the U20 Women National Team, Falconets, for its qualification for this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup taking place in Costa Rica in the month of August, and charged the U17 girls, Flamingos to put in the hard work necessary to win a ticket to this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup taking place in India in the month of October.
