Renowned South African coach Pitso Mosimane has revealed that he was in contact with former Super Eagles, captain Jay-Jay Okocha, as well as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
When the Super Eagles' managerial position became vacant, Mosimane was one of the coaches tipped to replace Jose Peseiro but the NFF settled on former international Finidi George..
Super Eagles have talent like Brazil, but nothing to show for it
Pitso Mosimane, in an appearance on Metro FM's ‘Sports Night Amplified‘, gave his thoughts on the Nigeria national team, highlighting both its strengths and the systemic challenges.
“Super Eagles, what a team they have,” he said, acknowledging Nigeria's impressive lineup.
“The calls (to coach Nigeria) were coming, the talks were there. Jay-Jay Okocha was leading this thing and begging me.
“There was never a deal on the table, it was just talks. This one calls and calls from the Federation. In football, the contract must be on the table and sign it. If that is not really happening, there is no deal.”
Mosimane talked up Nigeria's talent, fingering coaching inadequacies for their recent struggles. “You can never deny a chance to coach Osimhen and all those guys are top talent in the world,” he said. “Nigeria struggles with the system and how they play.
“When you have many good players, it is nearly the same as Brazil, but where is the World Cup?
“When you have too much talent and the coach doesn’t even know who to play and who to play, the coach becomes impatient that the game is not looking good, then you make changes because you’ve got somebody else on the bench.”
Is Pitso Mosimane available to replace Finidi George?
Mosimane is currently unemployed following the end of his short-term contract with Saudi club Abha.
The 59-year-old has enjoyed a stellar coaching career, winning the CAF Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016, as well as five league titles. Mosimane has also enjoyed two spells coaching the South Africa national team.
Finidi is currently under intense scrutiny following a shock defeat to Benin in CAF World Cup qualifying.
