Former Super Eagles player Samson Siasia has called on Augustine Eguavoen to step down as the interim head coach of the national squad, citing a conflict of interest with his role as Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

Speaking at a novelty football match in Abuja on Friday, held in honor of Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Siasia stressed that Eguavoen should focus solely on his responsibilities as Technical Director.

“He cannot hold two positions at the same time. He should actually decide on which one to hold and leave the othe,” Siasia said.

The former Super Eagles coach also reiterated his stance against hiring foreign managers, urging the NFF to invest in the development of local coaches.

“We don’t want any foreign coach here because they are not coming to do anything. We have enough good materials at home that we should not be talking about hiring a foreign coach.”

Siasia’s comments come shortly after the Super Eagles, under the leadership of Eguavoen, secured qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

While praising the potential of the current squad, Siasia emphasized the need for patience in assessing Eguavoen’s future as head coach.

“As for Austin Eguavoen’s future with the Super Eagles, I will suggest that we wait a while to see how the team will be. It is a very young team.

Eguavoen has a job already as the technical director. He should resign as Super Eagles manager and concentrate on his job,” he added.

The debate surrounding the use of local versus foreign coaches has intensified since Finidi George’s resignation in June after managing just two matches.

Siasia believes the NFF should prioritize empowering Nigerian coaches to ensure long-term success.

With the spotlight on Eguavoen’s dual roles, the NFF faces mounting pressure to make a decisive move in shaping the future of the national squad.