The House of Representatives Committee on Sports has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Ministry of Sports to put the integrity of the country first before the appointment of the next Super Eagles Coach.
Sporting Tribune reports that since the exit and contract expiration of former Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro’s contract in February, the NFF is yet to appoint a successor for the Portuguese safe for Finidi George who has been in an acting capacity and led the Eagles to friendlies against Black Stars of Ghana and Eagles of Mali. Nigerians are however worried that two months after Peseiro was shown the exit door, the NFF is yet to appoint a substantive coach with 2026 World Cup qualifiers fast approaching.
The House Committee emphasised the importance of upholding Nigeria’s integrity before a coach would be employed as the coach of the Super Eagles. It warned against having a repeated scenario like in the past, where the country’s name was dragged in the mud because the NFF and the Ministry couldn’t secure the payment of foreign national team coaches. The Committee however said it would support the idea of bringing on board a foreign coach only if the NFF and the Ministry of Sports had worked out modalities on the payment of the coaches without owing.
The Chairman, House Committee on Sports, Hon Ekene Adams, highlighted the significance of having an indigenous coach who is capable, experienced and have the qualification to lead the Nigeria senior men’s national team while emphasising the need for transparency in the selection process to ensure that the best candidate is chosen to lead the Super Eagles.
“We are thinking of hiring a foreign coach and the question is, do we have the money to hire a foreign coach without owing him? We are not saying they should not hire a foreign coach if they have the money to pay without owing him. The National Assembly’s standpoint is that they should not hire a coach they cannot afford to pay, they must make sure they hire a coach they can pay at the end of every month because they will not fold their hands and allow anyone to drag Nigeria’s name in dispute.
“If truly we have qualified coaches among our indigenous coaches who have submitted applications and can do the job, we should give them the opportunity to lead the team to success. The likes of Daniel Amokachi, Finidi George, Emmanuel Amunike, and a host of other indigenous coaches who have the qualifications, experience and have indicated interest in leading the team should be employed.
Super Eagles have amassed only two points in as many games and will host Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Uyo in June before facing the Squirrels of Benin Republic in Abidjan in Match Day 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.