The Nigeria Football Federation has announced plans to hire a foreign technical adviser for the Super Eagles.
This decision comes after the team’s disappointing performance in the ongoing qualification series for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a meeting held on Thursday, the NFF apologized to Nigerians for the poor results of the Senior Men’s National Team in four out of ten matches. They pledged to improve the team’s preparation ahead of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers in September and the continuation of the World Cup qualifiers in March 2025.
Those who attended the meeting included NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, 1st Vice President Felix Anyansi-Agwu, 2nd Vice President Gbenga Elegbeleye, and other members like Yusuf Ahmed, Babagana Kalli, Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, Sunday Dele-Ajayi, Aisha Falode, Ganiyu Majekodunmi, Nse Essien, Margaret Icheen, Timothy Heman Magaji, Silas Agara, George Aluo, Nkechi Nneka Obi, and Secretary Mohammed Sanusi.
The NFF stated, “The Executive Committee resolved to employ an expatriate Technical Adviser for the Super Eagles in the coming weeks, ahead of the AFCON qualifiers and the remaining FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.”
They also plan to strengthen the NFF Technical Department with more skilled personnel and re-organize the Technical and Development Sub-Committee immediately.
Despite the challenges faced during the preparation for the Day 3 and Day 4 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches due to a 38-hour nationwide industrial action, the NFF expressed disappointment with the attitude of some players. They decided to enhance their scouting program to find outstanding Nigeria-eligible players worldwide who can improve the team.
The Executive Committee also resolved to hold a Stakeholders’ Forum soon to discuss amendments to the current NFF Statutes in collaboration with FIFA.
While recognizing that the Federal Ministry of Sports Development is responsible for preparing teams for the Olympic Games, the NFF promised robust support for the Senior Women’s National Team, the Super Falcons, for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France from July 24 to August 11.
To ensure a strong performance of the U20 Women’s National Team, Falconets, at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia from August 31 to September 22, the NFF approved a two-phase camping program. This includes four weeks of training in Nigeria followed by two weeks in Colombia.
The Executive Committee also commended the U17 Women’s National Team, Flamingos, for their performance in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup African qualification series.
They instructed the Secretariat to ensure the team is fully prepared for their final match against Liberia on June 14, 2024, at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
