NFA Awaits More Application For Eagles Job
THE Nigeria Football Association (NFA) is still searching for a new national team coach after its technical committee failed to recommend a choice on Thursday.
Six candidates, including the former France international Jean Tigana, have applied for the position.
But the technical committee, which sat in Abuja, decided to look at additional applications before making a choice.
"The technical committee said they could not make a decision based on the applications they have received so far," NFA Chairman Ibrahim Galadima told BBC Sport yesterday.
"They are planning to have another meeting on Wednesday or Thursday next week for further deliberations."
Galadima admitted that the delay in picking a new foreign manager is unsettling for the Super Eagles who have a 2006 World Cup qualifier match against Zimbabwe on September 5.
"If we had had our way last year, Bryan Robson would have been the manager of the national team and this matter would have not been an issue now. But the sports minister's refusal to sanction that appointment has contributed to the situation in which the FA finds itself," Galadima said.
Beside the selection of a new foreign manager, the NFA is yet to renew the contract of incumbent boss Christian Chukwu, whose tenure runs out next month.
The NFA Chairman told BBC Sport that the delay in resolving the matter was unsettling for the former national team captain, lamenting that they had been side-tracked by other unresolved issues.
"I accept that this matter of Chukwu's contract should have been settled earlier than now. He has done well so far and I have always been in his support. But the matter of finding a new manager has been uppermost in our minds," Galadima said.
Tigana, former manager of French side Monaco and English premier league club Fulham, had been one of the favourites to take over as France's new coach this week before Raymond Domenech was appointed.
Belgian Maurice Cooremans, in charge of Nigerian club Lobi Stars, was also among the applicants for the job, said Galadima who declined to name the other four.
The coach is set to be named next month in time for Nigeria's World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe on September 5. Nigeria, with six points, lead their African zone Group Four which also includes Angola, Rwanda, Algeria and Gabon. Only the top team qualifies for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.
Galadima said: "Nigeria has a great soccer team and we need a top quality coach but the rules for selection will be tighter this time."
Dutchman Jo Bonfrere, now in charge of South Korea, was Nigeria's last foreign coach. He was sacked in April 2001.
