"The FA's general assembly gave Shehata the thumbs up to coach Nigeria during the World Cup should a tangible offer be made," said Salah Hosni, an executive in the Egyptian football governing body.

Shehata had indicated that he had great interest in coaching Nigeria when he was linked with them after leading Egypt to their third straight Africa Cup of Nations triumph but always maintained he needed to get permission from his employers first and the Egyptian FA members were not keen on the idea until this recent turnaround.

The former Zamalek player is said to be eager to become the first Arab manager to coach a foreign team at the World Cup and could very well fulfill that dream this summer if all goes his way.

The Egyptian Football Federation president, Samir Zaher, will reportedly follow up with his Nigerian counterpart to see if Nigeria’s interest in the triple African Champion is serious, according to media reports out of Cairo.