The recent decision of the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) not to renew the contracts of coaches of the youth teams of Nigeria have given the football body the chance to freshen things up with some former Nigeria international players who are now coaching abroad.
Owngoalnigeria.com exclusively gathered that while the NFF advertised the jobs for U17 and U20 teams, the football house have decided to retain Salisu Yusuf as the coach of the U23 team following his return from suspension for his involvement in a bribery scandal regarding players selection.
Salisu will keep his dual role as the head coach of the B team of the Super Eagles and also the Nigeria U23 aside his job as first assistant to coach of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr. The process of bringing him back into the system has already started with his secondment to Enugu Rangers by the NFF.
The coach took over from sacked coach Bennedict Ugwu after Rangers requested for a coach from the NFF. The move by the NFF is to make the coach have a smooth return to the touchline before taking over his roles with the national teams.
On the jobs available, the football house is favouring former Mallorca and Real Betis B youth team coach Finidi George for the job of coach of U-17 team while Seyi Olofinjana who is presently a coach with English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers is the leading candidate to be named the U20 coach.
Olofinjana presently works as the manager of players sent on loan by Wolves and he will push to retain his job with the club even if he is appointed by the NFF when the list of the successful coaches is announced next year.
