The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has vowed to hire a foreign technical adviser for the Super Eagles following a series of disappointing performances that have fallen short of national expectations.
The commitment was made during a meeting on Thursday, where the NFF also issued an apology to Nigerians for the Senior Men National Team’s lackluster showing in four out of ten matches in the ongoing qualification series for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In attendance were key NFF officials, including President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, 1st Vice President Felix Anyansi-Agwu, 2nd Vice President Gbenga Elegbeleye, and members 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 pledged to work diligently to prepare a better-equipped squad ahead of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers in September and the resumption of the World Cup qualifiers in March 2025.
The committee resolved to employ an expatriate technical adviser for the Super Eagles in the coming weeks. This move aims to enhance the team’s performance and address the issues that have plagued their recent outings.
Further measures include strengthening the NFF Technical Department with more qualified personnel and revamping the Technical and Development Sub-Committee.
Despite challenges faced during the team’s preparations for the Day 3 and Day 4 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, including a 38-hour nationwide industrial action, the Board expressed dissatisfaction with some players’ poor attitudes towards national duties.
Consequently, they decided to implement a more comprehensive scouting program to identify and recruit outstanding Nigeria-eligible players from around the world who can significantly contribute to the team’s success.
The Executive Committee also announced plans to convene a Stakeholders’ Forum in collaboration with FIFA to discuss amendments to the current NFF Statutes.
While acknowledging that the Federal Ministry of Sports Development oversees Olympic team preparations, the NFF affirmed its commitment to robustly support the Senior Women National Team, the Super Falcons, as they prepare for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France from July 24th to August 11th.
In preparation for the U20 Women National Team, Falconets, participation in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in Colombia from August 31st to September 22nd, the NFF approved a two-phase camping program. This includes a four-week training camp in Nigeria followed by a two-week final camp in Colombia.
Additionally, the Executive Committee lauded the U17 Women National Team, Flamingos, for their commendable performance in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup African qualification series.
The Secretariat has been directed to ensure the team’s readiness for their final round, final leg match against Liberia at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on June 14, 2024.
