NFF believe Amunike will make up for any technical deficiencies in the Eagles coaching crew

NIGERIAN Football Federation (NFF) officials have expressed confidence that the Super Eagles management team will be able to beat Ghana in the World Cup play-off and qualify for Qatar 2002 following the appointment of Emmanuel Amunike as assistant manager.

In December, the NFF sacked German coach Gernot Rohr and name Portuguese manager Jose Peseiro as his replacement. However, Mr Peseiro was not to take over until after the African Cup of Nations, with Augustine Eguavoen, the NFF technical director taking charge of the team during the continental tournament.

However, the NFF and Mr Peseiro were unable to tied up the details of his contract before the end of the Nations Cup and with the World Cup play-off against Ghana looming next month, Mr Eguavoen has been asked to manage the team for the two-legged tie. Amid fears that the management team is lacking technically, however, the NFF has drafted former Golden Eaglets coach Emmanuel Amunike in as assistant manager.

Under the new arrangement, Eguavoen will remain interim head coach, with Amunike serving as his number two. Salisu Yusuf will serve as the number three in the technical team with Joseph Yobo the fourth coach and Alloy Agu serving as goalkeeping coach.

Apart from coaching Nigeria's U-17 team to World Cup victory, Amunike has also managed Tanzania's nation team, taking them to the African Cup of Nations in 2019. Several former players have welcomed his deployment to the Eagles, saying he will being a lot to the table technically.

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu, said: “I am happy with the appointment and the inclusion of Amunike in the team.  It’s a welcome development because these are ex-internationals and they understand the passion for the game.

"It also shows that we have quality hands in the country. All they need is time and if they are given everything they need, I’m sure that they will deliver.”

While remaining keeping mum about the details of the contractual agreement between him and the NFF, Amunike said it is a privilege to serve his fatherland. He is expected to take charge of all technical areas of the team, as this appeared to be Mr Eguavoen's Achilles Heel during the Nations Cup when Tunisia exposed his limitations.

Amunike said: “I’m always available to serve my country, so I’m grateful to Nigerians and the federation for looking in my direction. For now, there’s no use speaking much but when it’s time, I will grant an interview about the job.”

NFF chairman Amaju Pinnick said he believes that Amunike will complement Eguavoen as a coach, providing the team with the necessary technical sagacity. He added that although Eguavoen did well wining all three group matches during the tournament, after taking the job at short notice, there was room for improvement.