The Super Eagles are set for a major change as the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has decided to part ways with current coach Findi George following a disappointing 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
In an announcement made after an executive committee meeting on Wednesday, June 12, the NFF expressed regret to Nigerian fans for “dismal output and very poor returns”, basically the Super Eagles’ poor performance so far. Securing only three out of a possible 12 points in their first four qualifiers.
The federation revealed plans to hire ‘an expatriate technical adviser’ to lead the team into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers starting in September. This major shift marks the end of Finidi George’s short tenure, tarnished by unsatisfactory results and questionable squad choices.
Appointed only last month, the former Atlanta ’96 Olympic gold medalist had been expected to revitalize the three-time African champions. However, his tenure quickly regressed, with Nigeria struggling in their World Cup qualification bid after a loss to Benin and a draw with South Africa.
The NFF‘s statement did not explicitly address Finidi’s future role, but the indication is that he will likely be demoted as they seek a high-profile foreign coach. This move follows a common strategy of bringing in international expertise to improve the Super Eagles’ performance.
With the Super Eagles currently fifth in their World Cup qualifying group, the new technical adviser will face the challenge of cooking up a dramatic turnaround in the remaining qualifiers in 2025. Ensuring Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be the immediate priority to prevent further disappointment.
The NFF also announced a comprehensive overhaul of the technical department and a robust scouting program for players eligible for Nigerian citizenship worldwide. Whether these changes will yield the desired revival remains uncertain, but the swift action taken by Nigeria’s football authorities highlights their determination to rectify the situation after the missteps in Finidi’s appointment.
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