Sports Minister John Enoh has stated that Super Eagles fans may have to wait a few weeks for a new Nigeria coach to be appointed, contrary to some reports in the local media.
The position of the Super Eagles' managerial role became vacant following the departure of Jose Peseiro. The Portuguese trainer's contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ended in February, and both parties were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension.
In his absence, the NFF, in March, advertised for interested individuals to fill the void left by the 64-year-old. Finidi George, the coach of Enyimba and one of the assistants to Peseiro, has been acting on an interim basis, and took charge of the team in their recent two friendly matches against Ghana and Mali.
The outcome of the mentioned games has intensified the calls from many Nigerian football fans for the announcement of a new permanent manager ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June.
Nigeria will be squaring up against South Africa on June 3 and play Benin on June 10. The Super Eagles are currently third in Group C with two points from two games played.
They are behind table-toppers Rwanda by two points and second-placed South Africa by one point.
Expect new Nigeria coach within two weeks, assures Enoh
Addressing concerns during an interview on Channels TV, he offered insights and reassurance regarding the impending appointment.
“Unfortunately, the senior national team doesn't have a coach. We played two friendlies and had just Finidi George oversee those two matches.
“The first responsibility of getting a coach lies with the NFF, and I have been in touch with the NFF because I think Nigerians didn't expect that after AFCON and after the contract with coach Peseiro came to an end and wasn't renewed, that it will take as long and not have a coach yet. But NFF is conscious and mindful that our next qualifiers are in June, what I can assure is that in the next one or two weeks at the most, the senior national team will have a new coach.”
Continuing, he added, “I think we have not had a tremendous start. It's a shaky one, and therefore, there is a milage to cover given that we didn't go for the last World Cup. We cannot afford not to go for the next, and therefore everything needs to be done. Coming after AFCON and coming after we have had a tremendous show somewhat, I think everybody expects that we should be able to consolidate on that and take it from there.”
Is Danny Buijs set to be named Super Eagles new boss?
Reports in the Nigerian media indicate that 41-year-old Danny Buijs could be named the new Super Eagles coach.
The Dutch gaffer spent his playing career in the Netherlands, representing clubs like Feyenoord, Groningen, Sparta and Excelsior Rotterdam and Kozakken Boys Scottish side Kilmarnock.
He performed reasonably well during his tenure at Kozakken Boys, securing victory in 39 out of 72 matches, with 14 draws and 19 losses. Subsequently, Buijs has taken charge at Groningen, Mechelen, and Fortuna Sittard.
If the reports in the Nigerian media are anything to go by, then the appointment of Buijs will be a sharp contrast to the desires of many Nigerians.
Numerous Nigerians, including Super Eagles legends, have expressed their opinions on the appointment of a local coach for the Super Eagles.
Given the interest expressed by local candidates such as Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi, Sylvanus Okpala, Sampson Siasia, Michael Nsien, Ndubuisi Egbo, Emmanuel Amuneke, it would disappoint many Nigerians if the NFF opts for an expatriate appointment.
