Former Barcelona winger Emmanuel Amunike may have won the race for the head coach position of the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.
According to reports, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has decided to go with Amunike as the substantive head coach of the national team.
An official announcement is being awaited from the NFF, although the Sports Ministry has given the football body two weeks to name a successor to Jose Peseiro.
It is believed that Enyimba FC manager George Finidi will remain as one of the assistants of the new Super Eagles head coach, a role he held with distinction under Peseiro.
If the reports are true, the Super Eagles head coach role will be the biggest challenge Amunike has had to handle.
The former Zamalek and Sporting Lisbon winger excelled as coach of the Golden Eaglets, leading the Nigeria U17 national team to win the FIFA U17 World Cup.
Amunike also impressed as head coach of the Tanzanian national team, guiding the Taifa Stars to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations – their first in nearly forty years.
However, Amunike’s record with Egypt’s Misr Lel Makkasa and Zambia’s Zanaco left much to be desired.
The 53-year-old coach also fumbled when placed in charge of the Flying Eagles, failing to help the Nigeria U20 team qualify for the AFCON in 2017.
Aside from Amunike, USA U20 national team coach Michael Nsien, former Manchester City assistant manager Domenec Torrent, and Fortuna Sittard coach Danny Bruijs were all running to become the Super Eagles head coach.
NB: Can Emmanuel Amunike lead the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Leave your comments below.