Kanu backs Eguavoen as NFF intensifies foreign coach plan

Former Nigeria captain Nwankwo Kanu is backing Augustine Eguavoen to become the permanent coach of the Super Eagles and doesn’t expect the Nigeria Football Federation to dilly-dally on the decision.

The Arsenal legend made this assertion on Brila FM against the backdrop of the body working assiduously towards engaging a foreign coach to replace Jose Perseiro, whose contract with Nigeria expired after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

“What are the NFF waiting for? They have to do it (give him the job permanently; he’s doing well, and he is getting the results,” said Kanu.

A few hours after the Nigerian legend bared his mind on the subject, news broke about the NFF being in discussion with Aliko Dangote, MTN, Baba Ijebu, and others Nigerian money bags on the payment of a foreign coach.

NFF president Ibrahim Gusau made this known at the National Assembly on Wednesday while defending the 2025 budget before the House Committee on Sports.

Reacting to whether or not the federation is ready to engage any foreign coach, Gusau said payment has been a big issue of embarrassment to Nigeria, and they are in discussion with sponsors to take care of the payment.

“We are currently in discussion with Dangote Group, BUA, MTN, Baba Ijebu, and others on the payment of a foreign coach. Though Eguavoen is doing well, if we must engage a coach, we must make sure that the issue of payment is sorted. Until last February, the Federal Government did not pay the salary of our former coaches, leading to the 18-month debt of Jose Peseiro before the President Tinubu-led government cleared the debt,“ Gusau told the National Assembly.

Recall that the NFF engaged the services of Bruno Labbadia as Super Eagles coach before the deal broke down a few days after the announcement over stringent and unfavourable German tax laws.

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