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As the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) approaches in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, the CHAN Eagles face a critical challenge with the absence of a head coach.
With the CHAN scheduled for January and February 2025, the competition’s details remain unconfirmed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Amidst this uncertainty, the NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau has outlined plans to appoint a single coach for both the Super Eagles and the CHAN Eagles.
This strategy aims to give the coach more time with players from the Nigerian league, ensuring a smooth transition into the Super Eagles squad.
“I want to make it clear that the coach we appoint for the Super Eagles must also manage the CHAN Eagles. This approach will allow for greater cohesion between the two teams and increase the representation of home-based players in the Senior National Team,” Gusau stated.
Despite this vision, the Super Eagles are currently without a head coach following the resignation of Finidi George.
With no clear timeline for appointing a new coach, the CHAN Eagles face the prospect of insufficient preparation time.
Addressing Critical Needs
Reflecting on the CHAN Eagles’ history, the team has only qualified three times for the tournament in 2014, 2016, and 2018.
Under Stephen Keshi, they secured a third-place finish in 2014 in South Africa. In 2016, under Sunday Oliseh, the team exited the tournament in the group stage.
Super Eagles B at the CHAN 2018.
The CHAN Eagles came close to victory in 2018 but lost woefully in the final 4-0 to Morocco under Salisu Yusuf.
Since then, Nigeria has failed to qualify for the tournament, missing out on the 2020 and 2022 tournaments.
With the next competition on the horizon and qualifiers this the year, it is crucial for the team to have thorough preparation and a competent coach to lead them.
Both the CHAN Eagles and the Super Eagles are without a coach, with the latter struggling to qualify for the 2026 World Cup while facing a challenging AFCON qualifying schedule in September, the situation seems precarious.
NFF need to act swiftly to address these coaching vacancies to ensure both teams are well-prepared for their upcoming challenges to avoid lack of preparation which has always been a case in the team.
Not only that, but appointing a competent coach will also play a crucial role in shaping the future of Nigerian football by providing stability, direction, and readiness to compete at the continental level.
That multiplier effect will also benefit Nigerian Leagues and could improve the value of home based players and enable their transition to the main Super Eagles.
