BREAKING: NFF appoints Finidi George as Super Eagles head coach

 Finidi George has been appointed as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.

 

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced Finidi’s appointment in a communique on Monday.

 

The 52-year-old would be the permanent replacement for Jose Peseiro, who he worked with as an assistant coach for 20 months with the Eagles.

 

Peseiro left the job in February after leading the team to a silver medal-winning campaign at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.

 

Finidi was the Eagles’ interim head coach for two international friendlies against Ghana and Mali in March.

 

He led the Eagles to a 2-1 victory over Ghana in his first game at the helm but lost 2-0 to Mali in the second game.

 

“The Board of Nigeria Football Federation on Monday approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Committee to appoint former ace winger Finidi George as Head Coach of the Senior Men National Football Team, Super Eagles,” the statement reads.

 

Finidi, known for his storied wing play, represented Nigeria at the highest level as a player for over a decade. He was part of the Eagles squad that won the 1994 AFCON and participated in Nigeria’s debut at the FIFA World Cup that same year.

 

He also won the 1995 UEFA Champions League with Ajax.

 

After retiring from football in 2004, Finidi acquired a UEFA A Coaching Licence. The qualification earned him roles in La Liga’s Real Betis and Real Mallorca as director of international football and youth team coach, respectively.

 

He joined Enyimba FC in 2021 and helped the club to its ninth Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title in 2023.

 

Finidi’s immediate task with the Super Eagles will be the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic in June.

 

The Eagles drew their first two games of the campaign to Lesotho and Zimbabwe, lagging behind in third place in Group C.