Pitso Mosimane reveals why he rejected Super Eagles job
Former Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane has disclosed that he was approached by Nigerian football legend Jay-Jay Okocha and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to take over as head coach of the Super Eagles. This revelation comes amidst the recent coaching changes and turmoil within the Nigerian national team setup.
NFF’s Search for a Coach
Following the departure of Jose Peseiro, the Super Eagles’ coaching position became a topic of intense speculation. The NFF reportedly made several approaches to top-tier coaches, including Mosimane, before eventually appointing Finidi George. However, George has recently resigned, adding to the ongoing uncertainty.
Mosimane’s Account
Mosimane recounted that he was contacted by Okocha and an NFF representative about the possibility of leading the Nigerian national team. Despite the enticing prospect of coaching world-class talents like Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen, Mosimane ultimately turned down the offer due to his loyalty to South Africa.
“The calls were coming from Nigeria, the talks were there. Jay-Jay Okocha was leading this thing, he was begging me,” Mosimane stated in an interview with SNAWA. “But you know South Africa and Nigeria were in the same group. It’s not too nice, it’s unpatriotic because I want to see my team in the World Cup.”
Reasons for Declining
Mosimane highlighted the complexity of managing a team with an abundance of talent as one of the challenges he perceived with the Nigerian squad. He drew parallels with Brazil, emphasizing the difficulty in maintaining a consistent system or shape when there are so many top players available.
“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. It’s 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,” Mosimane explained. “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.”
No Formal Offer
Despite the discussions, Mosimane clarified that no formal offer was made by the NFF. “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,” he said. “In football, a contract must be on the table and signed. If that is not really happening, then there’s no deal.”
Future of the Super Eagles
With Finidi George’s recent resignation and the ongoing issues within the team, the NFF is considering bringing in a technical director. Former Cameroon head coach Antonio Conceicao has been strongly linked with the role of technical adviser.
Mosimane’s revelations add another layer to the ongoing saga of the Super Eagles’ coaching challenges, highlighting the complexities and emotional factors that influence such high-stakes decisions. As the NFF continues its search for stability, it remains to be seen who will take up the mantle to lead Nigeria’s national team in future competitions.
