By Michael Madyira
Two-time Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach, Herve Renard, has explained why he declined an offer to coach Nigeria’s national team.
The 56-year-old Frenchman, who recently stepped down as France women’s national team coach after the 2024 Olympic Games, revealed that he came very close to managing the Super Eagles.
“I almost went to Nigeria,” Renard told French football publication *L’Equipe*.
“I weighed the pros and cons for a few days, even weeks, before eventually turning it down. It was the best offer I’ve had so far, but it didn’t suit me in the end.”
Renard is highly respected in African football after leading Zambia and Ivory Coast to Afcon titles in 2012 and 2015, respectively. His decision to turn down Nigeria is significant, as the Super Eagles are rivals of South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Group C of the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is now actively looking for a new coach. Interestingly, South African coach Pitso Mosimane has been linked to the job. Mosimane recently hinted that he had been approached by two West African teams and is now prioritizing a national team role.
Nigeria has already had three different coaches in 2024: Jose Peseiro, Finidi George, and currently Augustine Eguavoen, who is temporarily in charge. German coach Bruno Labbadia was also announced as the Super Eagles coach in August, but later denied accepting the position.
In the meantime, Orlando Pirates defender Olisa Ndah has been left out of Eguavoen’s squad for the upcoming 2025 Afcon qualifiers against Libya, despite returning to the national team in September for matches against Benin and Rwanda.
Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen is also absent for the Libya fixtures.
Pictured above: Two-time Afcon winning coach Herve Renard
Source: Herve Renard – X
