Nigerian legend Okocha gives his verdict on Amuneke joining Eguavoen-led Super Eagles coaching crew

The two former international teammates of the Bolton Wanderers icon will handle the affairs of the national team ahead of the World Cup qualifier in March

Ex-Nigerian international Austin Okocha has backed the newly constituted Super Eagles coaching crew led by Augustine Eguavoen and Emmanuel Amuneke.

Okocha, Eguavoen, and Amuneke were members of the Super Eagles squad that lifted the Africa Cup of Nations on Tunisian soil in 1994. But while Okocha ventured into business and punditry after retiring from football, Eguavoen and Amuneke took a coaching career.

Amuneke won the FIFA u-17 World Cup first as an assistant coach and later as the head coach before guiding Tanzania to their second-ever appearance at the Afcon in 2019.

The highlight of Eguavoen’s coaching career was leading the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2006 Afcon.

The former KAA Gent defender also impressed as interim coach of the Eagles at the 2021 Afcon before his team was knocked out at the Round of 16.

The Nigeria Football Federation recently brought the two tacticians together to lead the Super Eagles against Ghana’s Black Stars in the final round of the World Cup qualification campaign.

And Okocha is convinced that Amuneke’s addition is the missing piece in the national team’s coaching setup.

“Amuneke’s coming to Eagles coaching crew is a good addition,” the former PSG midfielder said, as per This Day.

“We all know how qualified he is and the value he’s bringing to the team.

“He was successful In Tanzania and his inclusion is a positive one for Nigeria. It shows our intentions in getting things right ahead of the playoffs.”

Nigeria will qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup should they beat Ghana over two legs in the playoffs scheduled for the last weekend in March.