Denizli is on the Nigerian National Team Coach List

‘The NFA technical committee met late last week and decided to include the trio of Metsu, Denizli and Leekens in their list of the final six,’ he told Reuters by telephone from the capital Abuja.

Polish-born Henry Kasperczak, former coach of Tunisia and Mali, and Frenchman Alain Giresse were also listed, he added. The sixth candidate was not named.

Nigeria are keen to appoint a foreigner as coach for the African Nations Cup finals in Tunisia in January.

Current coach Christian Chukwu, a Nigerian, is regarded by the country’s ever-critical media, sports officials and fans as not technically equipped to take the side to the tournament.

Kalu admitted that Metsu, currently working in the Gulf, and Kasperczak were not among those who originally applied for the job.

‘But it was the thinking of the NFA technical committee to diversify and get a good coach for the national team,’ he said.

Metsu and Senegal began a fairy-tale run last year when they reached the final of the Nations Cup tournament for the first time, only to lose to Cameroon on penalties.

Senegal then stunned former world champions France 1-0 in the World Cup opening game. They were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Turkey.

Nigeria, who failed get past the first round in the 2002 World Cup, were one of African football’s leading sides in the mid-1990s.

Under Dutchman Clemens Westerhof they lifted the Nations Cup and reached the World Cup second round in 1994 and under his compatriot Jo Bonfrere they won the Olympic gold medal in 1996.