Yusuf Signal His Readiness To Lead Super Eagles

Super Eagles caretaker Salisu Yusuf has declared his willingness to take the country’s top coaching post on a fulltime basis.

The former Enyimba and Kano Pillars coach was in temporary charge of the Eagles for the recent friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are due to announce a substantive coach ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, which begin in October.

Yusuf will now be one of the top contenders after he acquitted himself in the wins over Mali and Luxembourg which has helped Nigeria climb six spots up the FIFA rankings.

And he said he is equal to the task especially after he assisted the country’s last three coaches – Stephen Keshi, Sunday Oliseh and Samson Siasia.

“I can take responsibility at this level,” said the former El Kanemi and Ranchers Bees midfielder, who said he was grateful to the NFF for giving him the opportunity to lead the country’s team for the first time.

“I have been working as a coach for the past 15 years. I will work a lot harder because the responsibility is higher. It will not change my philosophy as a coach.

“I will not be surprised if I’m given the job because I have assisted three coaches (Keshi, Oliseh and Siasia). I know the job and I can do the job.”

Yusuf further said one of his priorities as head coach is to work with players who are playing regularly at their clubs whether locally or overseas.

“I will use active players, playing for their clubs regularly, conditioning and match fitness will come from their clubsides. We will only discus tactics and strategy for the four days we are together before a game,” he said.

“The quality of the player cannot be compromised and if he is active, he can take responsibility

“If you are playing for your club, it will be easier for you to play for the national team.”