The on going protest across the nation coupled with the curfew imposed on Edo state by the state government has forced the newly appointed technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Austin Eguavoen to stay put in Benin, Edo-state till normalcy returns to the country.

Eguavoen who feels pain about the maiming, killings and shooting that has trailed the protest told our correspondent on phone yesterday that “there is no way I can travel now may be until when normalcy returns to the country”

Eguavoen, 55, former Super Eagles gaffer was  announced as the new technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after a virtual meeting of the Federation on Tuesday in a communiqué made available to Blueprint sport.

He takes over from Bitrus Bewarang whose expired contract was not renewed for another term

‘Cerezo’ as Eguavoen is fondly called since his days as Eagles defender, was touted to take over as head coach of giants Stade Malien de Bamako before the NFF ‘coup’ nipped that adventure in Mali in the bud.

Eguavoen is a familiar figure in the country’s senior national team, having coached Super Eagles to 2006 AFCON in Egypt where the team finished third.

Eguavoen  also previously coached Bendel Insurance, Sharks FC, Nigeria’s Under-17 team with the like of John Obi Mikel to the cadet World Cup in Finland.

Also , the NFF following  the lifting of ban on football activities in the country, the Executive Committee endorsed a proposal by the League Management Company to fix the calendar for the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League to commence anytime from Sunday, 15th November 2020 and end the season by June 2021, with full adherence to the Federal Government’s COVID19 protocols and other requirements as may be prescribed.

Full compliance with the Club Licensing regulations is mandatory for Clubs willing to take part in the NPFL. The Executive Committee further mandated the NNL, NWFL and NLO to synchronize their calendars with that of the NPFL with each of them commencing within three weeks of the elite League. However, the Executive Committee made it clear that in line with the Federal Government’s directive, all football activities can commence immediately.