The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday unveiled Finidi George as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, with the former international winger promising victories over South Africa and Benin Republic in the team’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
At the unveiling ceremony held in Abuja, NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau expressed delight with the Federation opening a new chapter by appointing an indigenous coach. He stated that the NFF undertook a thorough process that produced George, despite receiving more applications from foreign coaches.
Gusau said the football governing body is determined to fully support George and his assistants to lead the Super Eagles to new heights. He revealed that George, who was part of the technical crew that came close to winning the AFCON, was given the freedom to pick his own assistants.
“When we returned from the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, we began the search for a new Head Coach. There was a plethora of foreign applicants, far more than the indigenous applicants. However, we undertook a thorough process that has produced an indigenous Coach and we are very happy about that. Finidi George was part of the technical crew that came close to winning the AFCON, and we have faith in him that he will lead the team to the title next time.
“Our objective now is to ensure the enthronement of excellence at all levels of the National Teams,” Gusau said.
He also added that the NFF gave the new Eagles coach the free hand to pick his technical crew.
George settled for Daniel Amokachi, Benjamin James as his assistants, while Olatunji Baruwa (goalkeepers’ trainer), Chima Onyeike (Fitness Trainer), and Mehmet Ozturk (Analyst) will also work with the new coach.
The new head coach vowed that the Super Eagles will remain competitive under his watch, with his first target being to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by winning the upcoming matches against South Africa and Benin Republic.
George stated that he would only invite players who feature regularly at their clubs, either in Nigeria or abroad, for international assignments. He promised to work hard to add value to the team and earn more than his initial contract.
“My first target is to make sure that we are in line to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by winning the upcoming two matches against South Africa and Benin Republic. The 2025 AFCON qualifiers will soon start and we must also be prepared for those as well. I know what the NFF wants as it is boldly written in the contract, and I will work very hard to add value to the team and put myself in the position to earn even more than I will be earning from the take-off.”
On relationships with the players, George said: “I have always had a cordial relationship with all the players as an assistant coach. I am still the same person even as Head Coach now, only that the title has changed. There will be no controversy regarding relationship with the players. These are professional players and we have to give them what they’re used to in Europe; you don’t need to slap anyone to get him to do the right thing.
“I will try my best to ensure the team starts functioning properly and we start winning games again. There is no pressure on me; I have tough skin. I just want to call for your support. I know this is not an easy job, but with the support of everyone, we can achieve our objectives.”
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, praised the NFF’s decision to appoint an indigenous coach, recalling his days as a student when he used to watch Finidi play for Calabar Rovers. Enoh charged the NFF to give George all the necessary support to succeed while also soliciting the backing of all Nigerians for the new coach.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by several NFF officials and prominent football stakeholders.
