Samson Siasia has sent a strong message to Augustine Eguavoen, suggesting that the interim Super Eagles coach step down from the role.
Eguavoen, who is also the Technical Director for the Nigerian national team, was appointed as the national team’s head coach temporarily by the NFF following the federation’s failed negotiation with German manager Bruno Labbadia, who was meant to replace Finidi George after he resigned in June.
The 59-year-old gaffer led the Super Eagles to secure their ticket to the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco, creating uncertainty over his future with the team.
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Siasia’s message to Eguavoen
While no consensus has been reached on whether he will retain the post permanently or not, Siasia has advised Eguavoen to focus on his job as Technical Director.
The former Nigerian U-20 coach also suggested that the national team has enough quality and does not need a foreign coach, as their appointment would make no difference.
“He cannot hold two positions at the same time. He should actually decide on which one to hold and leave the other,” Siasia said, as quoted by Brila.
”We don’t want any foreign coach here because they are not coming to do anything. We have enough good materials at home that we should not be talking about hiring a foreign coach.
”As for Austin Eguavoen’s future with the Super Eagles, I will suggest that we wait a while to see how the team will be. It is a very young team.
”Eguavoen has a job already as the Technical Director. He should resign as Super Eagles manager and concentrate on his job.”
Nigeria’s next competitive game is a World Cup qualifier against Rwanda in March next year, and the NFF has yet to confirm the appointment of a permanent coach.
Meanwhile, Siasia recently finished serving a FIFA coaching ban due to matchfixing and has set his sights on returning to the touchline, though he is currently without a job.
