Former Gambia coach favourite for Super Eagles coaching job as NFF grills three coaches

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has stepped up plans to recruit a new coach for the Nigeria senior national team by interviewing three shortlisted candidates for the position. Own goal Nigeria.com understand.

Nigeria are without a substantial coach following the departure of Finidi George after the disappointment of the last round of 2026 World Cup qualifying, where the team drew 1-1 with South Africa before losing 1-2 to Benin Republic.

Finidi, who replaced Jose Peseiro who guided them to the AFCON final where they were beaten 1-2 by hosts Ivory Coast, has since taken on a new role as head coach of Nigeria Professional Football League side Rivers United.

Finding a replacement is something the NFF wants to accomplish before the next round of international games in September when AFCON qualifiers return.

Topping the list is Hervé Renard of the France women’s team, two-time AFCON champions with Zambia and Ivory Coast respectively, who has been sounded out but there are fears and concerns about whether he will be able to pay his salary, and also the fact that he is a target for other countries who are also mindful of the fact that he will be free at the end of the Olympics.

A leading candidate for the role is current Manchester United assistant coach Steve McClaren, the 63-year-old is enthusiastic about the job and has reportedly met with senior members of the football house, before being questioned by the technical committee.

His choice is something of a risky one as some members are uncomfortable with his lack of knowledge of African football, and while his salary will not be an issue as he is willing to take a pay cut, there are still fears he will be almost as expensive as Renard.

Former Gambia coach Tom Saintfeit is the early favourite as the 51-year-old is willing to leave his post as Philippines coach to join the Super Eagles, despite only taking over the job earlier this year. It is said to be within the NFF’s budget.

The well-travelled and knowledgeable CAF Coach of the Year candidate for 2022 and 2023 was among the coaches in the running for the vacant post. In 2022, he was also named runner-up for the Belgian Coach of the Year award organised by the country’s Football Association.

A decision is expected to be made later this month. The biggest absentee was Antonio Conceição, the coach who lost just two games in his two years in charge of the Cameroon national team. He was the initial favourite to succeed his Portuguese compatriot, but there has been no contact with the NFF as far as we can exclusively learn.

Mohamed Mowiz Suleiman