Former Nigeria International and Coach of the Nigeria Men’s Football Team, Finidi George has resigned.
According to reports, the NFF officially informed him of their intention to appoint a foreign coach as Technical Adviser while retaining Finidi George in his head coach role. However, Finidi chose to resign, allowing the new foreign coach to take full charge of the team without his involvement.
During Finidi’s tenure, the Super Eagles suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic in Abidjan and a 1-1 draw against South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. These results have left Nigeria winless after four matches, placing them fifth in Group C with just three points and jeopardizing their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Finidi was appointed as head coach in April after serving as an assistant to Jose Peseiro, whose contract ended in February 2024. However, the recent poor performances have led the NFF to reconsider their coaching strategy.
At an NFF Executive Committee meeting on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, the federation expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s performance and resolved to hire a foreign coach for the Super Eagles. The committee apologized to Nigerians for the team’s lackluster performance. They emphasized their commitment to assembling a better-prepared squad for the upcoming AFCON 2025 qualifiers in September and the continuation of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March 2025.
A statement released by the NFF stated that“The Executive Committee wholeheartedly apologizes to Nigerians for the dismal output and subsequent poor results of the Senior Men National Team, the Super Eagles, in four out of 10 matches in the ongoing qualification series for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals,”.
“We pledge to work diligently and put necessary measures in place to ensure a better-prepared squad ahead of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers and the remaining 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. The Executive Committee resolved to employ an expatriate Technical Adviser for the Super Eagles in the coming weeks, ahead of the AFCON qualifiers and the remaining 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.”
The NFF faces a challenging task ahead, as the Super Eagles must win all their remaining six matches to have any chance of qualifying for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Canada, the USA, and Mexico will host.
