Super Eagles Coach, Finidi George Resigns

 

Finidi George, the head coach of Nigeria’s national team, Super Eagles, has resigned his appointment.

This development is just a month after his appointment to manage the senior national team.

Finidi confirmed his stepping down from the role on Saturday.

Finidi George left his job as coach of the Super Eagles after just two games in charge of the team without a win.

Finidi George’s departure follows a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic on matchday 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, leaving the Super Eagles without a win in four games.

Also, a source within the NFF who confirmed the development stated that the federation is looking at employing another manager for the team. He also hinted that the federation is exploring the possibility of reducing the head coach’s salary.

The 53-year-old was unveiled as coach of the Super Eagles in May following the departure of Portuguese tactician Jose Peseiro at the end of the 2023 African Cup of Nations in February. However, in March, the former Enyimba boss took charge of the team interim for the doubleheader international friendly against Ghana and Mali.

With Nigeria’s qualification hopes hanging, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Ibrahim Gusau, says the Federation will take all necessary steps to ensure the Super Eagles qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

The NFF boss said this on Thursday in Abuja, shortly after a closed-door meeting with the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, to address Nigeria’s poor results in the qualifiers.

He said the NFF would continue to work closely with the sports ministry and other stakeholders to fashion out a winning template for the Super Eagles.

“It’s a very sad moment for Nigerian football. We cannot run away from that. But all I want to assure is that we are working tirelessly in conjunction with the minister to see that we come out with holistic measures that will change the face of the entire system so that we can move forward.

“Don’t forget, it is still possible, and I want to assure you that we are going to fight it to the latter and Nigeria will qualify for the World Cup.

“This is not something I will just say it now but very soon you are going to see major steps that NFF would come out with and by the grace of God, those measures that we are going to take will lead us to qualify for the next World Cup,” he said.

Why I Didn’t Use Boniface Against South Africa —Finidi

 

Nigeria’s head coach, Finidi George, has shed light on his decision not to field Victor Boniface in Friday night’s encounter against South Africa.

Despite the promising striker’s potential inclusion from the bench, Finidi explained that the circumstances on the field of play prompted a change in plans.

“We thought about bringing him in, he was supposed to come in, but when we had Ajayi complain that he couldn’t continue, we had to reverse that,” Finidi acknowledged in a post-match interview on Friday.

The coach noted a tactical shift, ultimately leading to Boniface’s exclusion from the match.

However, Finidi was quick to reassure fans that the talented forward’s opportunity may still come. “We have another game definitely if he’s up and doing he’s going to play,” he stated.

Addressing the criticism and demands from some quarters regarding player selections, Finidiemphasised the importance of on-field performance over external pressures.

“For me, it’s what you can give to me on the field of play. Everybody wants this player or that player to play, but at the end of the day, if the player is not performing, you guys will still be shouting take him off, so let us do our job. We know who is good to go,” Finidi declared.

On Friday, the Super Eagles played a 1-1 draw against BafanaBafana of South Africa in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifier.

ThembaZwane of South Africa opened the scoresheet in the 29th minute of the match played at the GodswillAkpabio International Stadium, Uyo, AkwaIbom State.

Equalising after a superb turn, Nigeria’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru slotted in a low shot to the edge of the post in the 46th minute.

The match ended at a stalemate, however.

The results mean that Nigeria is placed fifth in a table of six teams after three matches in the 10-match competition.

Nigeria, in three matches, has drawn all three.

The group winners will qualify for 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and United States; four best-ranked runners-up go into play-offs and winners enter an inter-continental tournament where six nations will compete for two places.

Meanwhile, the game marked Finidi’s first game as Super Eagles coach.

Super Eagles will travel to Abidjan to face third-placed Benin on June 10.