Slyvanus Okpala declares Super Eagles coaching ambition

Former Nigeria international Sylvanus Okpala has thrown his hat into the ring to become the next head coach of the Super Eagles.

Since the departure of Portuguese tactician Jose Peseiro, who guided the Super Eagles to a second-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to name a successor. While some advocate for Peseiro’s return, others call for the appointment of an indigenous coach to lead the team.

Several names have been floated as potential candidates for the Super Eagles job, including Emmanuel Amunike, George Finidi, Daniel Amokachi, Ndubuisi Egbo, and United States U19 national team coach Michael Nsien. However, Sylvanus Okpala, a member of the Nigerian team that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, has expressed his desire to be considered for the position.

Okpala, who previously served as an assistant coach to Stephen Keshi when Nigeria won the AFCON in 2013, believes he has the technical expertise to guide the Super Eagles to success in both the AFCON and the FIFA World Cup.

In an interview with the Punch, Okpala commended Peseiro’s efforts but asserted his readiness to take on the role. He highlighted his experience as a player and as an assistant coach to Keshi, emphasizing his ability to read games effectively.

Okpala underscored the potential of the current Super Eagles squad, expressing confidence that he could lead them to achieve remarkable results. He emphasized the difference in circumstances between past successes and the present, noting the team’s improved cohesion and the caliber of players available.

With Okpala’s extensive experience and confidence in the team’s capabilities, his candidacy adds an intriguing dimension to the search for the next Super Eagles head coach.