NFF names Le Guen as Eagles head coach •Lists Yusuf, Amapakabo, Agu as assistants

THE technical and development committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday eventually named Frenchman Paul Le Guen as the Super Eagles technical adviser to lead the team in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Addressing sports writers shortly after the meeting of the committee at the NFF Glass House in Abuja, the spokesman of the committee, Mr Paul Bassey, informed that the committee settled for Le Guen and advised the executive committee of the football body for approval.

According to the chairman of Akwa United FC of Uyo, the committee also picked Eagles’ interim coach, Salisu Yusuf and Rangers of Enugu coach, Imama Amapakabo as the assistants to the former Cameroon coach.

He added that Alloy Agu would continue his role in the Super Eagles as the team’s goalkeeper’s trainer.

Bassey, however, added that the appointments made by the committee were subject to the acceptance of the terms of contract by the respective appointees.

There were widespread speculations that Le Guen, who once coached the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, was the choice of the NFF as the new Super Eagles coach after Sunday Oliseh resigned from the job in February .

Meanwhile, Bassey also revealed the choice of Bitrus Bewarang as the new NFF Technical Director. His selection followed the death of  the former Super Eagles coach, Shuaibu Amodu, who held the position until he died in May.

Bassey further disclosed that the technical and development committee had decided that Nduka Ugbade should be restored to U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets to assist Manu Garba.

Meanwhile, ex-international, Felix Owolabi, has lauded the appointment of Le Guen, a former Oman coach.

“I support the chioce of Le Guen for the Eagles job. He knows much about African football. Incidentally, he once coached the Cameroonian national team and qualify them for the 2010 World Cup. Beside, Nigeria needs a coach that has the charisma and who has

credibility. But the only area I am not happy about is why did the NFF drag the appointment for so long?

“By and large, I support this decision because whether we like it or not, this development will make players invited to camp to be serious-minded and be focused,” Owolabi, 1980 AFCON winner said.