Former Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane has revealed that the Nigeria Football Federation held talks with him for the Super Eagles coaching job, but he refused due to his emotional attachment to South Africa, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Super Eagles coaching job has been a big topic in recent months since Jose Peseiro left. After the Portuguese tactician left the coaching position, the NFF opened applications, and there were many managers in the mix.
However, they opted for Finidi George, who had served as assistant coach an interim. However, that decision has not gone according to plan, as the Super Eagles have been poor under the former Ajax man. But it appears Finidi was not always the first name on the NFF’s list.
This is as former Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns coach Mosimane has revealed that he was contacted by former Nigeria international Jay-Jay Okocha and an NFF official.
“The calls were coming from Nigeria, the talks were there. Jay-Jay Okocha was leading this thing, he was begging me. But you know South Africa and Nigeria were in the same group. It’s not too nice, its unpatriotic because I want to see my team in the World Cup,” Mosimane told SNAWA.
“But also, work is work. You can never deny a chance to coach Chukwueze, Osimhen, those players are unbelievable, those guys are yop talents I the world.
“In my opinion, Nigeria struggle with the system or shape of how to play. The problem is when you have too many good football players. Its nearly the same as Brazil, where you have too much talent and the coach doesn’t even know who to play and where to play. The coach is impatient when the game is not looking good, and you make changes when you have somebody else on the bench. There’s no patience.”
“I didn’t consider the Nigeria job because of my emotional attachment to South Africa. Nigeria never put a deal on the table, it was just talks, they only called me from the Federation.
“In football, a contract must be on the table and signed. If that is not really happening, then there’s no deal.”
As it stands, Mosimane is not in the Super Eagles conversation despite his impressive track record. Portuguese tactician Antonio Conceicao has been heavily linked with the technical director role, and he could be appointed soon.