The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed former Super Eagles winger Finidi George as the new head coach of the nation’s senior men’s national team, according to an announcement made on Monday.
NFF’s Board approved the decision to appoint George following a recommendation from its Technical and Development Committee. This marks a significant milestone for the 52-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam and Real Betis forward.
George, who previously served as an assistant to outgoing coach José Santos Peseiro, took on the role of interim coach after Peseiro’s departure following the Super Eagles’ impressive run to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire. During his interim tenure, George oversaw two friendly matches in Morocco last month, where the team secured a historic 2-1 victory over Ghana but suffered a 0-2 loss to Mali.
“George, a member of the so-styled ‘Golden Generation,’ won 62 caps for Nigeria, including featuring at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals,” stated the NFF. The announcement highlighted George’s illustrious playing career, which included gold, silver, and bronze medals from multiple AFCON tournaments and his key role in assisting Rashidi Yekini in scoring Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal against Bulgaria in 1994.
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With the new appointment, George’s immediate focus will be on guiding the Super Eagles to victory in two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic. These matches are deemed must-win encounters as the Super Eagles currently trail behind Rwanda and South Africa in Group C of the African campaign.
Speaking on the appointment, Finidi George expressed his determination to lead the team to success. He stated, “I am honoured and excited to be appointed as the head coach of the Super Eagles. It’s a privilege to serve my country in this capacity, and I am committed to working tirelessly to achieve our goals.”
The former NFF President, Amaju Pinnick also commented on the appointment, saying, “We believe Finidi George’s wealth of experience both as a player and a coach will be invaluable to the Super Eagles. We have full confidence in his abilities to lead the team to victory and continue the legacy of success.”
As the Super Eagles prepare for their upcoming matches, expectations are high for Finidi George to harness the team’s potential and steer them towards qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With his extensive experience and proven track record, George’s appointment signals a new era for Nigerian football as they aim for glory on the international stage.