Ibrahim Gusau, the president of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), has refuted claims surrounding the purported appointment of Austin Eguavoen as Nigeria’s interim coach. According to Gusau, the information circulating is unverified, leaving the position of the Super Eagles’ coach still vacant.
The departure of José Peseiro, who formally announced on March 1, 2024, that he would be stepping down as the head coach of the Super Eagles at the end of his contract, created a void in the coaching role.
Shortly thereafter, news surfaced, dominating headlines across local and international media, indicating the selection of Austin Eguavoen as the interim coach.
However, this information has been declared erroneous.
In a recent interview with Punch, Ibrahim Gusau categorically denied Eguavoen’s appointment, responding with a resounding “No.” He emphasized that no official communication channel of the Nigerian Football Federation has corroborated the purported appointment.
“No. If something like this had happened, you will see it on our official communication channel,” explained Gusau.
As of now, the position of the coach for the Super Eagles remains unfilled. The latest updates suggest that the NFF has extended an offer to José Peseiro for a potential contract extension.
However, negotiations are encountering challenges due to various contract clauses, including disparities in salary expectations.
Peseiro reportedly seeks a salary of $120,000, while the federation has proposed $80,000, indicating a significant gap in the ongoing discussions.
The resolution of these contractual matters will ultimately determine the future leadership of the Super Eagles.
