Henry Makinwa: Ex-Rayo Vallecano & Rapid București star on Super Eagles coaching job: “I’m the best”

Former Vitoria Setúbal striker Henry Makinwa is convinced that he is the best candidate to become the head coach of the Nigerian national team, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Super Eagles are currently without a head coach following the departure of Portuguese tactician Jose Peseiro after the completion of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Last week, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, called for applications from interested parties to fill the vacant position.

Several top local and foreign coaches, including Emmanuel Amunike, Samson Siasia, Salisu Yusuf, George Finidi, and Antonio Conceicao, among others, applied for the job.

Makinwa has revealed that he also beat the March 12 deadline to submit his applications to the NFF.

The former Rayo Vallecano and Rapid București striker maintains that he is the most suitable candidate to coach the Super Eagles.

The 46-year-old highlights that his exploits playing in Africa, Europe, and Asia, as well as his NPFL coaching experience, put him ahead of other coaches jostling for the Super Eagles job.

“Like the NFF said, they want a coach who knows African football. I coached in the NPFL for five seasons, and I’ve lived in the country more than any of them (other applicants) in recent years,” Makinwa told the Punch.

“I will gradually inculcate the raw talents we have in the NPFL into the mainstream of the team. I will also select local boys in two groups of 20 players each; one group will be in the northern and the other in the south, and they will train every fortnight.

“We will be able to have an identity of play if we train throughout the year. The foreign-based players that will join us will be top-level.”

Makinwa’s impressive career

Born in Lagos on 6 November 1977, Makinwa began his playing career in the country, featuring for Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Concord, and Udoji United before moving to Europe in 1997.

He arrived at Rayo Vallecano in Spain but failed to settle down and switched to Portugal’s Penafiel the following year.

Makinwa impressed instantly and signed for Vitoria Setúbal, where he enjoyed the most prolific stint of his career.

He would later play for Gil Vicente and Farense before leaving Portugal in 2003 to move to Romania, where he teamed up with Rapid București.

After winning the league and cup double with the White-Burgundies, Makinwa returned briefly to Portugal to play for Feirense before leaving to feature for Egypt’s Al Ahly, winning the Premier League.

Before he retired in 2011, Makinwa played for clubs in Greece, Israel, China, Scotland, Indonesia, and Malta.

Makinwa took to coaching after completing his studies and has managed several clubs in the NPFL, including Abia Warriors and Katsina United.

N.B: Is Henry Makinwa ready to be the Super Eagles head coach? Leave your comments below.