• Thumbs up interim manager, Yusuf
By George Aluo
President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick says the soccer federation is taking its time to shop for a new Super Eagles manager, in a bid to avoid making any mistake.
Pinnick who spoke exclusively to Daily Sunsports yesterday said given the crucial and important nature of the task ahead, the NFF can’t afford not to get it right. He was however quick in thumbing up Eagles interim manager, Salisu Yusuf who he noted did a good job in the international friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg last month.
“We are taking our time on the issue of who leads the Eagles into the World Cup qualifiers because we don’t want to make any mistake. God willing, we will get it right but for sure we will come up with a decision before the end of this month. My joy however is that interim coach Salisu Yusuf did a good job last month. He has laid the solid foundation we need to take off with the boys he lined up against Mali and Luxembourg. As a nation, we can’t afford not to qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup. Nigerians want to see the Eagles in Russia and that is the only way to make up for our failure to qualify for AFCON 2017.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will on June 24 in Cairo hold the Russia 2018 World Cup draw. The qualifiers proper is billed to start in October.
Pinnick further disclosed that the NFF would meet soon to decide the cities that would host the Eagles World Cup qualifiers. He was however quick to add that he is confident the Eagles would get total support wherever they play.
“You saw what happened in Kaduna when we hosted Egypt. The fans there are passionate. The story was the same in Port Harcourt, Calabar and Uyo. Our appeal is that the fans should back the team when the qualifiers start. We need the support and prayers of everybody as we can’t afford to fail.”