Seven foreigners apply to coach Nigeria

Updated: Friday July 05, 2002 09:46 a.m. ET

LAGOS, July 5 (Reuters) - Seven foreigners have applied to coach Nigeria's national soccer team after the former African champions reversed their decision not to hire a foreign coach, a Nigerian newspaper said on Friday.

Nigerian Football Association (NFA) secretary general Taiwo Ogunjobi told reporters that French, Dutch, German, Ukrainian and Yugoslav nationals have applied for the technical adviser's job.

He did not give details but said Frenchman Philippe Troussier, who steered co-hosts Japan to the second round of the World Cup last month, had not applied for the job.

Troussier qualified Nigeria for the 1998 World Cup in France before parting ways with the country.

Announcing the decision to recruit a foreign trainer last week, Nigeria's sports minister Steven Akiga, said the plan was an interim measure, with the long-term goal being to train Nigerians for the job.

Akiga said Nigeria needed a foreign coach to get the best out of their array of stars playing in Europe's top leagues.

Nigeria went to the World Cup with Adegboye Onigbinde, who stepped in at the last minute following the sacking of Shaibu Amodu after the team failed to win the African Nations Cup in February.

Nigeria lost to Argentina and Sweden and drew with England, failing to reach the second round for the first time in their three World Cup finals appearances.

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