Oluwashina Okeleji BBC Sport, Abuja

Kao'je says a foreign coach can lead Nigeria forward

Nigeria's sports minister Bala Kao'je has instructed the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to employ a foreign coach for the national side.

Kao'je gave the order to the NFA board in a meeting on Wednesday, as national coach Austin Eguavoen is preparing the Super Eagles for Saturday's Nations Cup group qualifier against Niger.

"Events in the last couple of years has shown that it is a foreign coach that is capable of steering the game forward," Kao'je said.

NFA chairman Sanni Lulu, who regarded the sports minister's view as reflecting the government's position, said they, and not the NFA, would have to pay the salary for the coach.

"The minister has simply given a directive in the best interest of our football and we will look into it.

"There is no disagreement with the local coaches but every decision taken should be for the good of the game in the land.

"The brief is clear and we will see to the recruitment in the best possible time," Lulu told BBC Sport on Thursday.

Nigeria's last foreign trainer was Dutchman Jo Bonfrere, who was sacked in 2001 after a string of poor results.

Meanwhile, it appears that striker Nwankwo Kanu will be out of the Nigeria squad for Saturday's game.