Former Nigeria and Barcelona striker, Emmanuel Amuneke, has declared his interest to fill the vacant Super Eagles coaching position, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 56-year-old tactician was in charge of the Nigerian Golden Eaglets in Chile as they cruised to victory at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in a side that included Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen.
Since then, he has coached the Tanzanian National team and Egyptian Premier League side, Misr Lei Makkasa. Jose Peseiro’s contract with the Nigerian Football Federation expired at the end of February, following Nigeria’s loss to Ivory Coast in the AFCON 20223 final.
During the March International break, Enyimba International coach, Finidi George was appointed as a stand-in tactician for the Super Eagles, pending when a more permanent solution will be provided.
Finidi George coached Nigeria to a win over Ghana in the Jollof derby but was unable to repeat his theatrics against Mali as the three-time AFCON winners fell to a 2-0 defeat in Morocco.
Amuneke has looked into the upcoming World Cup qualifying games that the Super Eagles will play and revealed his ambition to be in charge of the team as they look to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“The Super Eagles’ upcoming World Cup qualification matches against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa and their counterparts from the Benin Republic would necessitate the appointment of a substantive coach who would also need some time to put the house for best results. I am not desperate to be a Super Eagles coach, though I have the ambition to coach. If I have the opportunity to serve my fatherland, I will accept it and deliver my all,” the former Sporting Lisbon striker said in quotes revealed by Premium Times.
Nigeria will play against South Africa at home on June 5th before travelling to Benin Republic to face Gernot Rohr’s side three days later.
N.B: We want to know your thoughts. Do you think Amuneke should be appointed as the coach of the Super Eagles? Let us know in the comments.