The Nigeria Football Federation’s selection of Finidi George as the new coach of the Super Eagles came as a shock to much of the country’s football community.
Earlier reports had suggested that Emmanuel Amuneke was the frontrunner to succeed the departed Jose Peseiro, which left some fans surprised by the decision.
Critics questioned whether the Rivers-born tactician was the right fit for the job, particularly considering the Eagles’ recent performances in friendlies against Ghana and Mali, during which Finidi served as interim coach.
Now, with the official appointment, Finidi faces the daunting task of meeting the high expectations associated with one of football’s most unpredictable positions.
His immediate challenge lies in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, especially after the Eagles failed to secure qualification for the previous edition in Qatar. Taking over a squad that managed only draws in their first two qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, Finidi must now guide them to victory in upcoming matches to improve their standing in Group C.
The Nigeria Football Federation emphasized the importance of this task in a statement released on its official website following Finidi’s appointment on Monday.
“George’s immediate task will be to guide the Super Eagles to victory in two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic in Uyo and Abidjan, respectively, in a little over five weeks. The matches are must-win encounters, with the Super Eagles lagging in third place in Group C of the African campaign behind Rwanda and South Africa,” the statement read.
Finidi will also shoulder the responsibility of assembling a squad capable of clinching a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title, aiming to surpass the team’s recent second-place finish in Ivory Coast, where he served as assistant to Peseiro.
However, the former Ajax star must navigate his relationship with his employer, the Nigeria Football Federation, strategically to avoid the fate of predecessors like Sunday Oliseh and Samson Siasia. Both coaches encountered numerous off-field issues with federation officials, which had detrimental effects on their teams’ on-field performances.
Speaking shortly after his appointment, the outgoing coach of Enyimba International of Aba expressed his enthusiasm for the role and assured his commitment to steering Nigeria to World Cup qualification.
“I am happy with my appointment as Super Eagles Head Coach and I believe with the support of NFF and Nigerians, we shall achieve a lot. I still have to meet with the NFF and tidy up things before I have a formal media chat,” Finidi said.
The Nigeria Football Federation has a history of meddling in the affairs of national team coaches, particularly the Eagles. Finidi must assert his authority and resist interference if necessary.
Former Nigerian defender Taju Disu offered words of wisdom to Finidi, emphasizing the importance of maintaining control over the team and not becoming subservient to NFF officials. Disu advised Finidi to work closely with his assistant coaches and assert his leadership.
“I hope the NFF bigwigs will allow him; if they don’t let him work, he should not hesitate to say it out, regardless of what will happen,” Disu said.
One area the new coach will need to address is the team’s style of play, which has lacked consistency for nearly a decade, particularly under foreign coaches.
This lack of coherence was evident during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where the former coach heavily favored defensive tactics, to the detriment of proven goal scorers like Victor Osimhen. With no alternative strategy, the team faltered, notably in the semi-finals against South Africa.
Given Finidi’s background as an exciting winger during his playing career, there are expectations that he will introduce a fresh playing style, utilizing the talented squad at his disposal and also nurturing talent from the Nigeria Professional Football League.
Drawing from his experience playing under Clemens Westerhof, Finidi has the task of instilling a clear identity for the team, akin to the successful era of the Dutchman between 1989 and 1994.
Despite reaching the AFCON final, the team is currently lacking in confidence, necessitating the engagement of a psychologist to bolster morale ahead of the World Cup qualifiers resuming on June 2nd against South Africa.
Another challenge lies in the absence of a competent playmaker, leaving strikers without adequate service and exposing the defense to opposing attackers.
While this issue may not be resolved before the upcoming qualifiers, it remains a priority for Finidi to address promptly. Additionally, he will be expected to continue the search for replacements for legendary playmakers like Austin Okocha, Sunday Oliseh, and Wilson Oruma, a task that has proven challenging for previous coaches.
The gaffer now must make do with the following advice from ex-international Harrison Jalla, one of the advocates for an indigenous coach for the team.
“Congratulations to Finidi George. My advice to him is, first of all, to know that the NFF doesn’t give the same support and cooperation they give to foreign coaches to our indigenous coaches. He should also note that his appointment was due to pressure from football stakeholders and Nigerians,” Jalla told The PUNCH.
“The NFF preference is for a foreign coach. As the new Super Eagles coach, he should work extra hard to justify his appointment. He should be focused and firm in his decisions on the selection and management of players. That should not be a problem, having played at the highest level himself.
“He must also take full charge and responsibility for the team and stamp his authority to avoid undue interference.
“Lastly, he should keep players agents at arm’s length. Finidi is level-headed; let’s give him all the support he needs to succeed,” he added.
