Super Eagles Vacancy: Peter Odemwingie Warns NFF Against Hiring Indigenous Coaches

• The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been without a coach since the departure of Jose Peseiro
• The Nigeria Football Federation are looking to hire a fitting coach to lead the AFCON finalists
• A former Super Eagles player has warned the Federation against hiring an indigenous coach

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are poised to get a new coach ahead of the June international window.

The African football powerhouse has been without a manager since the departure of Jose Peseiro, who left his role as coach at the end of February 2023.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has subsequently swung into action to ensure that the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finalists are with a fitting coach ahead of their crunch 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series against South Africa.

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Numerous elite managers, both foreign and indigenous, have been linked with the potential to take over the role of coaching the Nigerian team.

However, swirling reports suggest that there is a higher chance an indigenous manager could be appointed as coach of the Super Eagles.

Nonetheless, amid these rumours, former Super Eagles forward, Peter Odemwingie, has issued a subtle warning to the NFF, emphasising that hiring an indigenous coach for the team could turn out to be counterproductive.

Odemwingie speaks in Super Eagles coach

In a report from media outlet OwnGoalNigeria, the former West Brom forward emphasised that the majority of indigenous coaches are player agents, stating,

"There are football agents looking for avenues to push their interest and that of their players."

The words of the 42-year-old seem to mirror those of his former teammate, Abbey George, who previously hinted that he doesn't believe any local manager can handle the current crop of players available to the Super Eagles team, given the unpleasant track record a few of them have with the national team.

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Nonetheless, it must be noted that while former players continue to express their opinions on the coaching vacancy of the Super Eagles, the responsibility lies with the football federation's technical committee members to name a fitting manager for the national team.

Tanzanian journalist warns NFF

In an earlier report, Sports Brief stated that Tanzanian football expert, Ernest Junior, warned the NFF against appointing Emmanuel Amunike as coach of the Super Eagles.

According to reports circulating, the 53-year-old is rumoured to be the favourite for the vacant coaching role.