Former Nigerian U-23 defender declares himself the prime choice to steer the Super Eagles forward.
Michael Nsien, a coach with dual Nigerian-American roots, has voiced his belief that the Super Eagles have yet to fully harness the abundant talent at their disposal. He asserts that he is uniquely qualified to unlock the squad’s full potential.
At 44, Nsien’s playing career was largely based in the United States, where he competed in collegiate soccer and Major League Soccer (MLS). He also briefly represented Nigeria at the U-23 level, narrowly missing out on qualification for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
Insights from Nsien
Currently an assistant coach at Nashville SC, Nsien contributed significantly to the coaching staff that led the team to victory in this year’s MLS Open Cup.
He officially put forward his candidacy for the Super Eagles head coach role when the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) opened applications, although the position was eventually awarded to Eric Chelle.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s recent challenges in the World Cup qualifying rounds, where the team barely scraped through, Nsien pinpointed a lack of strategic cohesion as a key issue-one he is confident he can address.
Eric Chelle, the current head coach of the Super Eagles.
Michael Nsien has garnered accolades through his work with youth squads.
“Being deeply connected to my Nigerian roots, I hold a profound passion for the nation,” Nsien revealed during a conversation with RG’s Taye Taiwo.
“I am convinced that I can instill the leadership and tactical discipline currently missing from the team. With a thorough understanding of Nigeria’s football ethos and immense talent, I am prepared to unify these elements to drive success.”
“The squad boasts an impressive array of gifted players, yet their results have fallen short of what’s possible. By building a robust and consistent framework, I aim to elevate the Super Eagles to new heights.”