Posted by AFP on
Frenchman Philippe Troussier has been appointed Nigeria's coach for the second time in eight years.
LAGOS: Frenchman Philippe Troussier has been appointed Nigeria's coach for the second time in eight years.
'The NFA (Nigeria Football Association) board have endorsed the recommendation of Philippe Troussier as the new technical adviser (coach) to the national teams," the NFA said in a statement on Saturday.
'He is affordable and available to take up the job ... from Aug 1."
NFA chairman Ibrahim Galadima said Troussier had been given a 17-month contract but would not disclose financial details.
'He's most qualified for the job, technically competent and has worked not only with us before but in most parts of Africa," Galadima told Reuters in a telephone interview.
TROUSSIER: His first stint as Nigeria coach lasted only a few months.
'We believe he can take our football to a higher level and the key mandate in his contract is to develop our football and coaches."
Troussier's first stint with Nigeria lasted only a few months as he was sacked in 1997 despite helping the team to qualify for the 1998 World Cup.
The 50-year-old has also coached Ivory Coast, South Africa, Burkina Faso and Japan.
French club Marseille fired Troussier at the end of last season after they failed to qualify for the UEFA Cup.
His immediate task will be to earn Nigeria a place in the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany. His first game in charge will be on Sept 4 in a Group Four qualifier in Algeria.
Nigeria's hopes of reaching the World Cup Finals hang in the balance with only two qualifying games remaining.
They are level with group leaders Angola on 15 points but have an inferior head-to-head record. Only the group winners go through.
Galadima said Troussier's contract was not tied to World Cup qualification.
'If he achieves the feat, it's a bonus. But there's the African Nations Cup in January and we're looking forward to qualifying for that one," said Galadima.
The World Cup qualifiers are being used to decide which countries will play in the African Nations Cup in Egypt which starts on Jan 20. - Reuters