South African tactician Pitso Mosimane has opened up on his botched Super Eagles coaching job, saying the legendary Jay-Jay Okocha backed him.

After Jose Peseiro's contract ended with Nigeria in February, the former Mamelodi Sundowns manager was heavily linked with the job.

Nigeria went on to appoint Finidi George as the new head coach, but the ex-international failed to get the desired result in his first assignment.

According to ESPN, the Super Eagles managed one point from a possible six after a draw with South Africa and a loss to the Benin Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers played in June.

In a chat with Andile during a program 'Sports Night Amplified', Mosimane admitted that Nigeria is blessed with an array of talent.

The 59-year-old, who is expected to leave Saudi Arabian outfit Abha Club this summer, disclosed that Jay-Jay Okocha and some people in the Nigeria Football Federation were pushing for him to become the Super Eagles coach.

Pitso said:

"The calls were coming, the talks were there. Jay Jay Okocha was leading this thing. He was backing me.

"But also when you have Nigeria and South Africa in the same group it's not too nice.

"I am patriotic also, I want to see my country in the World Cup. But work is work, business is business.

"You can never deny a chance to coach Chukwueze, Osimhen...it's unbelievable.

"There was never a deal on the table. It was just calls... this one from the Federation, but what matters is for a contract to be on the table."

"The talks where there for the Nigerian job, JJ Okocha was backing me but you know when South Africa and Nigeria is in the same group its not too nice because I am patriotic also but work is work" Pitso Mosimane on #SportsNightAmplified pic.twitter.com/PJAk5MZoU5

— SPORTS NIGHT AMPLIFIED with ANDILE (@SNAWA_MetroFM) June 12, 2024