Nooij awaits better offer from Nigeria

By Ifeanyi Ibeh


Mozambique’s coach to the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations Martin Nooij has disclosed that there has been contact between him and the Nigeria Football Federation regarding the Super Eagles coaching job, although he insists he won’t be taking up the Nigerian job unless he gets a “better offer.”

The Dutchman has been linked with the Super Eagles coaching job since he led an average Mozambican side to a string of impressive performances against Nigeria and Tunisia in the World Cup qualifiers.

But the NFF, although keen on hiring a foreign coach to lead the Super Eagles to the World Cup in South Africa, have publicly denied approaching anyone to take over from the embattled Shaibu Amodu.

Contact

Nooij however informed NEXTSports in a telephone interview from his base in Mozambique that there has been talks between him and the NFF and that an offer had been tabled before him.

“We are in communication with each other. We have been for some time now and there was an offer which I refused but when I get a better offer I will consider it,” said Nooij.

“Nigeria has a lot of good players; I don’t believe the ones that were in Angola are the best for Nigeria but I think it’s a bit premature for now to talk about the Nigerian job. Let’s just wait and see.” Following Mozambique’s first round exit, the country’s FA, announced the sack of the Dutchman. A week later, the decision was reversed with the Mozambicans keen on extending Nooij’s contract.

Immediate future

Contract talks have however been placed on hold for the moment at the behest of Nooij.

“They want me to remain and said that I should take some weeks off to visit my family (in Holland). When I return in a few weeks time we will discuss but at the moment my future is open like a book,” continued Nooij.

“We lost in the first round but everyone here is proud of what we did. Defensively we made some mistakes that led to some goals and people here were not happy about that but after they saw some of the big teams like Egypt, Cameroon, Nigeria and Ghana making far more mistakes than us they realised we were just unlucky.”