Nigeria to name foreign coach

The Nigerian government plans to soon name a new foreign coach for the country's team ahead of next year's World Cup despite the recent endorsement of coach Shuaibu Amodu by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to lead the Super Eagles at South Africa 2010. According to the daily Nigerian sports newspaper, Soccer Star, top officials of the sports ministry have insisted on going ahead to engage a foreign coach in place of Amodu.

"We are more concerned about Nigeria having a decent outing in South Africa next year. As such we cannot afford to leave the destiny of the Super Eagles in the hands of Shuaibu Amodu, “a top official was quoted by the newspaper.

The newspaper further claimed that the new foreign coach will be appointed in time for the African Cup of Nations in Angola, which kicks off in January 10, so that he could start monitoring the team.

Several foreign coaches including Guus Hiddink, Giovanni Trapattoni and Ruud Gullit have already been linked with the top Nigerian job.

On Wednesday, the NFF threw their full weight behind Amodu, announcing that the former BCC Lions handler will lead Nigeria to both the Nations Cup and the World Cup.