A former Nigerian international, Friday Ekpo, has advised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to be proactive in choosing a coach for the Super Eagles to ensure proper preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Ekpo gave the advice in an interview with Newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos.
He said that delaying the appointment of the Eagles coach would affect the team’s performance ahead of the world cup qualifiers.
“We are used to rushing, when the time comes we will start to prepare for the tournament.
“NFF shouldn’t be wasting time in choosing the national team coach, so that it won’t affect the player’s performance,” he said.
He urged the NFF to fast-track the process to allow for enough preparations towards the world cup qualifiers.
According to him, the new coach if appointed will need more time to settle down, study the team, look inward for home based players and other players abroad.
“There is no time to waste in searching for the national team coach, infact we have enough indigenous coaches that can handle the team very well,” he added.
Nigeria will take on Bafana Bafana in Uyo and Benin Republic away from home on June 3–11, in Match days three and 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers..