Dimeji Lawal: Ex-Nigeria star advices NFF on timely appointment of Eagles coach

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Ahead of next month’s qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), former Nigeria international, Dimeji Lawal opined that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should not waste time in appointing a new coach for the Super Eagles.

The team is without a substantive coach since Finidi George resigned after a 1-1 draw with South Africa and a 2-1 loss against Benin Republic dented the team’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Nigeria’s senior men’s national team will commence their AFCON Qualifiers campaign against Benin Republic on September 7 with the NFF yet to announce a new coach to take charge of the qualification campaign.

“I really think the NFF must take a drastic decision in appointing a new coach for the Super Eagles since the qualifiers are around the corner,” Lawal told Complete Sports.

“Delay in the appointment of a coach often affects the team’s performance because the coach does not have time to relate perfectly with the players.

“But if it doesn’t happen that way, then the NFF should appoint a coach on an interim basis for the Super Eagles.”

With Herve Renard resigning as the head coach of French women’s national team after quarter final finish at Paris 2024 Olympics, he has been touted as one of the top candidate for the job.

The three time African champions will face Benin Republic, Rwanda, and Libya for a place at 2024 AFCON.