The Nigeria Football Federation is on the verge of naming German coach Winfried Schafer as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.
This decision comes after weeks of negotiations, with Schafer expected to succeed Augustine Eguavoen, who has served in an interim capacity since late August.
According to the Guardian, NFF has reached an agreement with Schafer, who has previously managed Cameroon, Thailand, and Jamaica, to take charge of Nigeria’s senior national team.
Schafer’s experience, which includes winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon in 2002 and leading Jamaica to the Caribbean Cup title in 2014, made him a top candidate.
The NFF had initially set its sights on Bruno Labbadia, but the deal fell through due to unresolved tax issues. The federation also explored the possibility of appointing Sweden’s former coach Janne Anderson and AFCON-winning tactician Hervé Renard before settling on Schafer.
Schafer’s official unveiling is expected soon, with reports suggesting he will bring his own backroom staff. However, discussions about local assistants are ongoing.
Interim coach Eguavoen will return to his role as NFF Technical Director following Schafer’s appointment.
Fondly known as “Winnie,” Schafer’s last managerial position was with Al-Khor in Qatar in 2021. His playing career saw him feature in 403 Bundesliga matches, scoring 46 goals.
Schafer’s coaching résumé is impressive, boasting titles across various leagues, including the Bundesliga, UAE Football League, and the Caribbean Cup.
Schafer will be tasked with leading Nigeria through their crucial 2025 AFCON qualifiers and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
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Although the NFF considered several options, including Labbadia and Andersson, the choice in favor of Schafer seems logical. It will be interesting to see how he handles new challenges and what impact he will have on the national team. It’s important that local assistants play an active role, as their contribution could be key.