Antonio Conceicao: Portuguese Coach Rejects Cameroon Sets Sight on Super Eagles Job, Report

• The Super Eagles vacancy is still a hotbed of discussion across Nigeria’s football circles
• Portuguese coach, Antonio Conceicao, is one of the managers linked with the role
• A report of the manager ignoring Cameroon in favour of coaching Nigeria has surfaced

The vacancy for the coaching position of the Super Eagles continues to be a major topic of discussion within Nigeria's football communities.

Numerous top-tier managers, both indigenous and foreign, have been associated with potentially becoming Nigeria's next coach, following Jose Peseiro's departure.

However, one manager remains tipped, and according to swirling reports, a favourite for the role is Portuguese coach, Antonio Conceicao.

The 62-year-old is one of the foreign managers who applied for the Super Eagles' job after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) put out a vacancy for the role.

Finidi George's coaching spell: The trials against Ghana and Mali, the prospects with the Super Eagles

Football

However, as the NFF enters the rigorous phase of scrutinising applications, a report of how the veteran manager ignored Cameroon to focus on getting the Nigerian job has emerged.

How Conceicao snubbed Cameroon

According to a report from OwnGoalNigeria, Cameroon’s Sports Minister, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, had previously reached out to the former Braga manager about the possibility of him returning to coach the Central African nation following the departure of former coach Rigobert Song.

However, Coach Conceicao turned the offer down, citing his focus on becoming the coach of Nigeria and an issue with his unpaid compensation from his previous role, which he is yet to receive following his sacking in 2022.

It should be noted that Coach Conceicao was the manager of the Cameroonian team between 2019 and 2022, during which he led them to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) bronze medal in the edition of the showpiece hosted by Cameroon.

Mutiu Adepoju supports Finidi to continue as Nigeria’s next coach

Football

However, he had to leave his role after a falling out with Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) president, Samuel Eto'o, which eventually led to his sacking.

Cameroon’s Sports Minister eventually appointed Marc Brys as the coach of the national team, a decision that has caused a rift between the minister and FECAFOOT president.

Coach Conceicao will be hoping his decision to reject a return to Cameroon is rewarded with being appointed Nigeria’s coach. Reports continue to suggest that he is in stiff competition with former assistant to Pep Guardiola, Domenec Torrent.

Guardiola’s assistant favourite for Nigeria's coaching role

Sports Brief in another report stated Guardiola's longest-serving ally, Torrent, is the favourite to be named Nigeria's next manager.

The 61-year-old is said to have been selected by the football federation over Conceicao and other candidates competing for the role. Torrent most recently managed Turkish club, Galatasaray.