Nigeria international midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has backed caretaker coach of the Super Eagles Salisu Yusuf for the permanent job.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been without a permanent coach since the resignation of Sunday Oliseh in February.
playOgenyi Onazi wants Salisu Yusuf to become the permanent coach of the Super Eagles (Twitter/NFF)
Search for a new coach has been on as the Nigeria Football Federation hope to announce one this month.
Onazi however thinks Salisu who recently led the Super Eagles to victories in friendly games against Mali and Luxembourg is good enough for the job.
The Lazio midfielder also revealed that Super Eagles players would like to see the caretaker boss given the manager's job on a permanent basis.
playSuper Eagles players want Salisu Yusuf to be a permanent coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria (Instagram)
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"Coach Salisu Yusuf has been fantastic, and we would be more than happy for him to get the job," Onazi told BBC Sport.
"He's a humble professional and we [the players] told the NFF officials in Luxembourg that they should support these coaches by handing them at least two years contracts.
"The players are very happy with him - if you see the team fighting hard for each other and staying disciplined in positions during those two friendlies, he's the reason behind it."
The 54-year-old Yusuf who has worked as assistant manager under Stephen Keshi, Oliseh and Samson Siasia also believes he is ready to be Super Eagles permanent coach.
Yusuf led Kano Pillars to the Nigerian League title in 2008 and Enyimba to domestic Cup success in 2013.
playYusuf has managed Kano Pillars and Enyimba in his 15-year-old career as a coach (Goal)
"I feel honoured that the players find me worthy of the job because they played with freedom under this coaching set-up," he told BBC Sport.
"I shared my philosophy with the players, we made them responsible for the success of the team on the pitch and they enjoyed it.
"I was assistant coach for three previous managers and I have managed all the top teams in Nigeria. Personally I think it's all about the opportunity to do it - so why not?"
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