Bayelsa United’s head coach, Ladan Bosso, and Enugu Rangers’ manager, Fidelis Ilechukwu, have firmly rejected speculation linking them to assistant coaching roles with the Super Eagles.
According to The PUNCH, in light of the imminent appointment of a new Super Eagles head coach, ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda, rumours had surfaced suggesting that Bosso and Ilechukwu were being considered as assistant coaches to the incoming head coach.
The likely candidate for the head coach position is the former Sweden national team coach, Janne Andersson who is reportedly the top choice of the Nigeria Football Federation.
Andersson’s tenure with Sweden saw him fail to secure qualifications for both the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2024, leading to his resignation.
His potential appointment follows the unexpected resignation of former Super Eagles assistant coach Finidi George in June.
Bosso, who has had multiple stints with Nigeria’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, categorically dismissed the rumours as unfounded.
“As far as I am concerned, all these are fabricated and propaganda by people,” Bosso stated to PUNCH Sports Extra.
He emphasized that he had not been contacted by the NFF regarding any such role, adding, “If there is anything like that, I am sure I would be called by the policymakers. Nobody in the NFF has called me, and I have never seen where assistant coaches are appointed before the head coach. It’s rumor as far as I am concerned.”
Similarly, Ilechukwu, who recently led Enugu Rangers to their first league title since 2016, expressed his surprise at the reports.
“I don’t know. I saw it the same way you saw it as well,” Ilechukwu said.
He remained open to the possibility of joining the national team setup, stating, “I never can tell what is going on. I am a coach and I am open to the national team job to contribute positively. If they call me, I will be there but right now my focus is on Enugu Rangers, the CAF Champions League, and the NPFL.”
Ilechukwu has previous experience with the national teams, having served as an assistant to Salisu Yusuf with Nigeria’s U-23 team in 2022.
He took over the reins at Enugu Rangers after a successful spell with Plateau United and has been instrumental in the resurgence of the Flying Antelopes in both domestic and continental competitions.
Meanwhile, Bosso’s recent work with the Flying Eagles has been well-noted, though his future at the national level remains speculative amid these swirling rumors.
