Nigeria sack Amodu, draw up Hiddink-led shortlist

Nigeria football bosses on Friday announced the sacking of coach Shuaibu Amodu, publishing a short-list of coaches they hope will lead the ‘Super Eagles’ through the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Amodu had been under pressure even before Nigeria’s third place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations, which ended with Egypt’s third consecutive victory last week.

The Nigeria Football Federation’s short-list is topped by Dutchman Guus Hiddink, Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal, Frenchman Bruno Metsu, former Ratomir Djukovic and former England caretaker coach Peter Taylor.

Hiddink is currently the coach of Russia, Metsu led Senegal to the 2002 World Cup and Djukovic guided Ghana to the 2006 World Cup.

According to an official statement after the marathon meeting, the NFF technical committee headed by Taiwo Ogunjobi will recommend one of three of these coaches for immediate employment before the end of this month.

The federal government of Nigeria will pay the new foreign coach, according to officials.

Amodu and his assistants will now train Nigeria’s second team for the 2011 Championship of African Nations (CHAN), meant for African players featuring in their respective domestic leagues.

In November, Amodu qualified the Super Eagles for the 2010 World Cup to be staged in South Africa in June.

However, the performance of the team under Amodu, who also qualified the team to the 2002 World Cup, was widely criticised by the press and the public.