Amodu named new Super Eagles boss

April 11, 2008

Nigeria have appointed Shaibu Amodu as the new head coach of their national football team. He will now lead the Super Eagles during their qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa after replacing Berti Vogts, who was sacked after a disappointing African CAF Africa Cup of Nations showing in Ghana at the start of the year.

It will be Amodu’s third spell in charge of the Nigerian national team, having previously led them in 1996 and 2000. The Nigerian FA have confirmed that Amodu is expected to reach the 2010 Finals in South Africa, as well as the next Cup of Nations in Angola.

Former Everton striker and Nigerian international forward Daniel Amokachi will be Amodu’s assistant with Alloy Agu, an assistant coach at domestic league champions Enyimba providing additional help.

“They must qualify the Super Eagles for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup and must excel in both championships,” Nigeria FA chairman Abdullahi Sani Lulu said.

During Amodu’s last spell in charge, the Super Eagles reached the 2002 World Cup Finals in Japan & South Korea. However, he was sacked just four months before the tournament after a disappointing showing in the 2002 African Cup of Nations, finishing third.

Ironically, Nigeria’s fortunes have gone from bad to worse since then, failing to qualify for the 2006 World Cup Finals and having a poor 2008 African Nations Cup.

Amodu’s first game will be in June when Nigeria play South Africa in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.

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