Pitso Mosimane, a renowned South African football manager with a strong track record, recently disclosed that he was in advanced talks to potentially become the coach of the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, before Finidi George was appointed. Mosimane, who has won the CAF Champions League three times, shared insights into the discussions during an interview on the Sports Night Amplified podcast.
Mosimane revealed that negotiations were underway and he had the support of Nigerian football legend Jay Jay Okocha, who was advocating for him to take on the role. However, despite the discussions progressing, no official offer materialized from the Nigerian football federation. Mosimane emphasized that in football, formal contract offers are essential for a deal to be finalized, and since that crucial step wasn’t taken, the talks eventually fell through.
Reflecting on the Super Eagles’ current state and their perennial underachievement despite possessing top-tier talent like Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen, Mosimane pointed out what he perceives as a systemic issue. He believes Nigeria struggles due to inconsistencies in their tactical approach and team structure. Mosimane drew parallels with Brazil, noting that having too many talented players can sometimes create confusion for the coach in terms of team selection and strategy.
Mosimane’s candid remarks shed light on his perspective regarding Nigerian football and the challenges faced in harnessing the nation’s abundant talent to achieve consistent success on the international stage.