Fans slam NFF for retaining coach caught for bribery
Reactions online have trailed the Nigeria Football Federation’s decision to retain Austin Eguavoen as the Super Eagles coach, The PUNCH reports.
The NFF, in a statement on Monday, announced the reconstitution of the technical crew of the Eagles, with Eguavoen remaining as Interim Technical Adviser, while former Nigeria World Cup star and former Flying Eagles coach Emmanuel Amuneke was drafted in as immediate assistant to Eguavoen.
According to the NFF, the reconstitution comes after the Eagles’ outing at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, “and ahead of the potentially-explosive FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 play-off round against the Black Stars of Ghana next month.”
The announcement brings to an end speculations in recent weeks over the future of Eguavoen, who sparked live into the squad despite barely two weeks to prepare the team for the AFCON, following the dismissal of Franco-German Gernot Rohr in December.
“The NFF board has approved a recommendation of the Technical and Development Committee retaining Augustine Eguavoen as Technical Director/Technical Adviser (interim) while Emmanuel Amuneke becomes the Chief Coach of the Super Eagles. Salisu Yusuf will be the second Assistant Coach/Chief Coach of the CHAN team and Joseph Yobo will be third Assistant Coach, while Aloysius Agu remains the Goalkeepers’ Trainer,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, stated in the statement.
The announcement sparked reactions online, with some respondents praising the NFF for keeping Eguavoen, an indegenius coach, while others preferred a foreigner to manage the Eagles.
“Having Amuneke on this list alone makes me happy. Let’s give them the necessary support and free hands to operate but the onus lies on them too not to allow their personal interest to override them,” Lawal Olatunji stated on Twitter, while backing the appointment.
Manga Enwezoh, however, preferred a foreign coach.
He stated, “Why all these gambling? If Amaju Pinnick has run out of ideas he should call a General Election and resign. Football is what unites us. We are a big football nation. Being eliminated in first knock out phase is a national disgrace. We want a foreign Coach.”
Michael Atamiremwen also stated, “What does Eguavvon know about match tactics and game plan? All he knows is how to select 11 players and ask them to win a game.”
Also, the fans came hard on the federation, for keeping Salisu Yusuf in the Eagles technical crew.