First Nigerian Coach to Win League in Europe ‘Open’ to Super Eagles Job

Ndubuisi Emmanuel Egbo, a former goalkeeper for Nigeria, has said he would be willing to take on the Super Eagles’ open coaching position.

After Jose Peseiro left the squad after 22 months in charge, the hunt is underway for the new Nigerian coach.

After his achievement in Albania years ago, Egbo—who created history as the first African coach to win a major European league title—spoke about his position with the Super Eagles.

“It is my country, I’m 100% Nigerian even though I have a European passport,” Egbo told Channels TV in an interview.

“Anytime I’m called upon to come and help, to raise the football of my country up because I am expecting Nigeria one day to be challenging to win the World Cup, which we have not done for a long time now.”

“So, I’m always open; we can never say never to our country,” he stated about the possibility of managing the Nigerian job if offered.

“It’s like a military service that anytime we are called upon we have to do it for our country,” he added.

The 50-year-old led KF Tirana to the Albanian league title in 2019/2020 season – their first championship in 11 years.

Egbo is a former Super Eagles goalkeeper, earning 12 caps and playing at two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments – 2000 and 2002.

After retiring, he moved into coaching, starting as a goalkeeper coach before he worked his way up to become Tirana manager three years ago.

He is currently boss of Kosovo side Prishtina and from his quotes, did not rule out taking the Nigeria job in the future if approached.

The role is now vacant and available after Portuguese manager Peseiro left following the expiration of his contract last month.

Peseiro spent 22 months in charge, guiding Nigeria to the final of the 2023 AFCON where the Eagles suffered 2-1 heartbreak to host nation Cote d’Ivoire.