How NFF, Finidi George romance ended abruptly

On Saturday, June 15, former international, Finidi George, announced his resignation as head coach of the Super Eagles after disappointing performances in two 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic. The three-time African champions drew 1-1 with the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Uyo on June 7 and then suffered an […]

On Saturday, June 15, former international, Finidi George, announced his resignation as head coach of the Super Eagles after disappointing performances in two 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic.

The three-time African champions drew 1-1 with the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Uyo on June 7 and then suffered an embarrassing 1-2 defeat to Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan.

The dismal performance of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) silver medallist drew the ire of Nigerian football fans who called for the sack of the coach and resignation of the leadership of the NFF.

However, it was coach Finidi who announced his resignation two days after the NFF took the decision to appoint a foreign coach for the Super Eagles.

The decision of the NFF meant Finidi was demoted from his position as head coach to assistant coach of the national team.

Therefore, the former Ajax of Amsterdam star winger said he was not shown enough respect by his employers who hid their intention from him even as they had held a meeting a few days before their decision was made public.

The decision taken by the NFF to demote Finidi didn’t come as a surprise because even in the beginning, the federation’s preference was a foreign coach for the Super Eagles.

However, the Ministry of Sports was said to have directed that the next coach of the Super Eagles must be an indigenous coach.

It is said that even as the Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh, preferred Emmanuel Amuneke to George, the NFF eventually settled for the latter for convenience.

Thus, the NFF gave Finidi a one-year contract and a target to qualify for the 2025 AFCON and the 2026 World Cup.

Unfortunately, his first assignment, which was the two FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic were to say the least, disastrous.

After a chaotic preparation occasioned by the nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as well as the withdrawal and exclusion of some key players, the Super Eagles managed to pick only one point out of a possible six to remain in fifth position in Group C with a paltry four points.

Faced with another failed World Cup bid, the Minister of Sports summoned the NFF to explain why the Super Eagles put up such an underwhelming performance.

It was after the over four hours meeting with the Minister that the NFF announced its decision to go for a foreign coach a few months after the departure of Jose Peseiro.

Before now, the NFF had said it has no money to pay for the services of a foreign coach. The change of mind by the federation has set tongues wagging with some members of the Technical Committee expressing surprise at NFF’s U-turn after rejecting the foreign coach they had recommended.

In a related development, the NFF also announced its plan “to beef up the NFF Technical Department with more qualitative hands. Equally, the Technical and Development Sub-Committee will be re-jigged with immediate effect.”

This decision has angered some members of the Technical Committee who feel they are being scapegoated by the football federation.

Meanwhile, following his resignation which came after only 47 days in charge, Finidi George has made the ignominious record as the Super Eagles permanent coach with the shortest reign.

Right now, the search is on for another Super Eagles coach, less than two months after the appointment of the last coach.