20100630
africanews

Augustine Eguavoen named as interim coach of the beleaguered Super Eagles of Nigeria in the absence of the Swede, Lars Lagerback, according to the Nigeria Football Federation. Lagerback signed a five-month contract in February to end after the World Cup in July.

Lagerback has now been offered a new four-year contract, but has told the NFF he wishes to discuss his future with his family.

Former international defender Eguavoen was in charge of the team when they placed third at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt after he failed to qualify the team for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

The NFF board, after a Tuesday, June 29 meeting, said in a statement that all the country's teams will be given better exposure in the future and that younger players and those featuring in the domestic league will be given a better chance in the Super Eagles and a psychologist will be hired for the national teams.

The NFF also apologized to the government and people of Nigeria for the Super Eagles early exit from the 2010 World Cup.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, losing to Argentina and Greece while drawing with South Korea.

Meanwhile, Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan has announced the withdrawal of the Super Eagles from international assignments over the next two years to allow them restructure.