Amaju Pinnick, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has said that if the Super Eagles win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, interim coach Austin Eguavoen might become Nigeria’s permanent coach.
Pinnick said this during an interactive session with sports journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, when he also debunked claims that the Federation doesn’t value Eguavoen.
The NFF selected Eguavoen after Gernot Rohr’s contract as Super Eagles coach was terminated a fortnight ago.
“We know that Eguavoen can do the job expertly, but we also know that he will be more useful controlling the technical department. However, if we cannot get the coaches to start work immediately, we will empower them to take the team to Cameroon.”
“And if Eguavoen wins the Nations Cup, we might have a rethink. In that case, the foreign coach will now become the technical director, while Eguavoen takes the position of technical adviser.”
“We know Eguavoen can do it, but we also want someone who can do it better. If we are unable to sign him soon, then we will work with the current team. But I am not going to tell you that if we have him signed today, he is not going to lead the team to the AFCON.”
Egypt, Sudan, and Guinea-Bissau are in Group D with the Super Eagles. On January 11, the team will face Egypt in their first match.
