Emmanuel Amuneke is the leading candidate for the Super Eagles top coaching post with his former teammate in the national team, Finidi George, his closest rival.
One of several top officials told SCORENigeria: “This is a chance to give Amuneke a decent chance with the national team.
“Yes, he has been assistant coach at least twice, but now is the time to give him the team.”
“Amuneke is the most suitable man for the job,” added another top official.
“Everything is pointing to a local man again leading the team and he will be the best option.”
A recent poll by PunchSportsExtra installed him as first choice to replace Jose Peseiro at the head of the Super Eagles.
He got 53% of the votes, Finidi got 15% and Oliseh 12%.
The former FC Barcelona winger qualified the Taifa Stars of Tanzania to the 2019 AFCON, 39 long years since their last appearance in the tournament proper.
He has previously worked in Sudan, Zambia and Egypt as well.
Amuneke, 53, led Nigeria to win a record fifth FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile in 2013 with Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze and Kelechi Nwakali the standout players at that competition.
As a player, he was named CAF Player of the Year in 1994, won an historic Olympic football Gold in 1996 and his double handed Nigeria the 1994 AFCON at the expense of Zambia.
He also won various honours with Egyptian giants Zamalek, Sporting Lisbon as well as Barcelona.
He has worked on the technical study group of both FIFA and CAF in recent times.
Enyimba coach Finidi will be the other candidate who will push for the top post after he assisted Peseiro at the recent AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
Like Amuneke, he enjoyed a decorated career in Europe with the likes of Ajax, Real Mallorca and Real Betis.
His biggest claim to the top position is that he will bring continuity to the Super Eagles having worked closely with the team until the 2023AFCON final last month.
Daniel Amokachi, Sunday Oliseh, Salisu Yusuf, Samson Siasia are some of the other coaches who have applied to lead the Super Eagles.
Siasia please. His brand of football is unmatchable. Or pair Amuneke with Siasia. Amuneke plays direct centre football while Siasia prefers wing football Nigerian brand. Two of them can work together as Bonfere Joe worked with Westerhof.