The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially appointed former Nigeria international Finidi George as the new head coach of the national squad, putting an end to weeks of speculation surrounding the vacancy left by Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro.
In a press statement released on Monday, the NFF Board approved the recommendation of a technical committee to appoint George, 52, to lead the Super Eagles into a new era of Nigerian football.
George, affectionately known as “Finidi” across Nigeria, steps into his new role with immediate challenges ahead, notably guiding Nigeria through crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic in June. The Super Eagles currently sit third in Group C of the African qualifiers, trailing behind Rwanda and South Africa.
Having served as an assistant to Peseiro for 20 months, George brings a wealth of experience and understanding of the squad dynamics. Following Peseiro’s departure after Nigeria’s runner-up finish in the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, George took charge in an interim capacity for two friendly matches in Morocco last month.
Under his interim leadership, Nigeria secured a significant victory over Ghana, ending an 18-year winless streak against the Black Stars with a 2-1 triumph. However, the team faced a setback in the subsequent friendly against Mali, suffering a 2-0 defeat.
George is a revered figure in Nigerian football, part of the famed “Golden Generation” that triumphed in the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and made history by reaching the FIFA World Cup finals in the same year in the USA. He earned 62 caps for Nigeria and featured prominently in the 1994 and 1998 World Cup tournaments.
As Finidi George assumes the helm of the Super Eagles, Nigerian football enthusiasts are optimistic about the team’s future under his leadership.
With a blend of experience, tactical acumen, and deep-rooted passion for Nigerian football, George aims to guide the Super Eagles back to winning ways and propel them towards World Cup qualification success.
The appointment marks a new chapter for Nigerian football, with expectations high for George to harness the potential of the talented squad and steer them to glory on the international stage.
