Nigeria interim coach Salisu Yusuf could well be given the top post on a full-time basis should the country fail to hire a foreign coach after he was praised by both officials and players for his tactical prowess and humility.
Yusuf, longtime assistants to Stephen Keshi, Sunday Oliseh and Samson Siasia, has earned respect for his tactical shrewdness which saw him outwit Mali and their French coach Alain Giresse on Friday in Rouen.
His second half changes brought spark to the Eagles leading to the match winner by Manchester city starlet Kelechi Iheanacho.
An official who is France with Eagles told AfricanFootball.com: “Nigeria could now settle for Salisu should a foreign coach option fail.
“He has impressed with his tactical approach against Mali.
“And the players have taken to him because he is not arrogant unlike his predecessors, who dwelled so much on their exploits as players.”
The former Ranchers Bees and El Kanemi Warriors midfielder has already proved himself at two of Nigeria’s top clubs, Kano Pillars and Enyimba.
The Eagles have crashed out of next year’s AFCON but they will be hoping to qualify for a sixth World Cup when the qualifying tournament begins in October.
Culled from africanfootball.com