NFF decides on foreign coach for Super Eagles

NFF decides on foreign coach for Super Eagles

Some Stakeholders have criticized the Nigeria Football Federation for choosing to name a new foreign coach for the Super Eagles after Finidi George,

the team’s current coach, had just been in the position for less than two months.

In anticipation of the 2025 AFCON qualifications and the remaining 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the federation announced its

desire to hire the foreign coach, who will work as technical assistant to head coach Finidi George.

The NFF executive committee made this decision on Thursday in response to speculation on Finidi’s future in light of the

Eagles’ low performances in his first two competitive games as head coach of the national side.

“The Super Eagles will have a foreign technical adviser hired in the upcoming weeks, ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifying

matches and the AFCON qualifiers,” the NFF announced in a statement on Thursday.

After Finidi took over on April 29, the squad has struggled in his two key crucial games dropping to fifth place in their six-team Group C in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with three points.

The Eagles suffered a shocking 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in Abidjan on Monday after 1-1 draw with South Africa in Uyo on Friday.

In his reaction, Former Super Eagles midfielder Friday Ekpo said “So, what will happen if the foreign player they are sending down

loses or ties in his opening match? Fire him? “They are not serious, they should let Finidi build for the future.”

“They ought to consider the long run; it is improper to appoint an expatriate as a technical adviser. Did they hire a technical adviser for

Peseiro when he was here and losing? You gave him a task to do, and in less than two months, you’re going to replace him?. There’s a problem”.

AFCON 2013 winner Azubuike Egwuekwe criticized the NFF’s decision. The retired defender asked, “How convinced are they that the foreign coach will win the remaining six games?”

“We don’t need a foreigner, which disappoints me greatly. After playing two competitive games, Finidi lost one and drew the other.

It would have been better if they had stayed with him longer. I think he deserved more support. Since foreign coaches hardly ever watch the NPFL, this will also have an impact on domestic players”.

Tony Ubani, President of the Guild of Sports Editors, has called the NFF’s decision a “pretentious move.”

Yes, that was a bad decision on their part; they revealed that they had never trusted indigenous coaches. Ubani said, “What they’ve done is to return to what they originally intended to do.”

Former Super Eagles left-back Ifeanyi Udeze supported the federation’s decision to hire an expatriate.

“I believe that their goal is to try to salvage the situation,” he stated. Everybody knows how it felt for Nigerians to lose to the

Benin Republic and then draw to South Africa. Since it’s unclear if we’ll make it to the World Cup at this point, they’re looking to find someone who can bring fresh perspectives to the group.

“This is not the time for experiments; whatever steps they need to take to secure our World Cup ticket, they should do so.

Finnidi is one of us and I believe he’s a good coach who will come perform.” Having someone oversee Finidi is a good idea;

just because he lost his first two official games does not indicate that he is a poor coach.

“I also don’t think it’s all Finidi’s fault; the players, who don’t give it their best, and the NFF are also involved. Therefore, I believe that more changes than only management are required.

Meanwhile, online comments on the NFF decision were made by football enthusiasts around the nation as many are clamouring for his sack while others says he is not fit for the Job.