By Ken Afor
Senator John Owan Enoh, the Honorable Minister of Sports Development, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF for their decision to appoint an indigenous Head Coach for the Super Eagles.
The minister made this known on Monday during the official unveiling of the Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Finidi George at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
It was gathered that the NFF settled for the ex-international despite receiving applications from numerous foreign coaches.
While commending the NFF, the minister urged the federation to provide George with all the necessary support to ensure his success in the role.
Also, the Minister called upon all Nigerians to rally behind the new Head Coach and extend their backing to him.
“As a student of the University of Calabar in those days, I used to go to the UJ Esuene Stadium to watch Calabar Rovers, which included Finidi George. I am excited to see him seated here as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles.”
On his part, President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, expressed enthusiasm for the fresh direction the Federation is taking regarding the country’s national football team. He stated that the NFF is fully committed to providing comprehensive support to the newly appointed head coach, George, and his coaching staff, with the goal of elevating the Super Eagles to unprecedented levels of success.
“When we returned from the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, we began the search for a new Head Coach. There was a plethora of foreign applicants, far more than the indigenous applicants. However, we undertook a thorough process that has produced an indigenous Coach and we are very happy about that. Finidi George was part of the technical crew that came close to winning the AFCON, and we have faith in him that he will lead the team to the title next time.
“Our objective now is to ensure the enthronement of excellence at all levels of the National Teams.”
Furthermore, Gusau disclosed that the NFF has given George complete autonomy in selecting his coaching staff. The head coach has already appointed Daniel Amokachi and Benjamin James as his assistant coaches, along with Olatunji Baruwa as the goalkeepers’ trainer, Chima Onyeike as the fitness trainer, and Mehmet Ozturk as the team analyst.
Meanwhile, George, the Atlanta 1996 Olympics Gold winner in the soccer event, affirmed that he will only extend call-ups to the national team for players who are actively participating in competitive matches, whether domestically in Nigeria or abroad. He vowed that under his guidance, the Super Eagles will maintain and enhance their competitiveness on the international stage in the years to come.
He said: “My first target is to make sure that we are in line to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by winning the upcoming two matches against South Africa and Benin Republic. The 2025 AFCON qualifiers will soon start and we must also be prepared for those as well. I know what the NFF wants as it is boldly written in the contract, and I will work very hard to add value to the team and put myself in the position to earn even more than I will be earning from the take-off.”
On relationship with the players, George said: “I have always had a cordial relationship with all the players as an assistant coach. I am still the same person even as Head Coach now, only that the title has changed. There will be no controversy regarding relationships with the players. These are professional players and we have to give them what they’re used to in Europe; you don’t need to slap anyone to get him to do the right thing.
“I will try my best to ensure the team starts functioning properly and we start winning games again. There is no pressure on me; I have tough skin. I just want to call for your support. I know this is not an easy job, but with the support of everyone, we can achieve our objectives.”
Also at the ceremony were NFF 1st Vice President, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu; NFF Board Members Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa and Mr. Timothy Heman Magaji; Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme; Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen; GMD of GTI, Alhaji Abubakar Lawal; Adviser/Consultant to Hon. Minister, Ken Egbas; NFF directors Babatunde Akinsanya, Ademola Olajire, Okey Obi, Ali Abubakar Muhammad and Dayo Enebi Achor; prominent football stakeholders Jude Anyadufu and Abubakar Danfulani and; former Nigeria internationals Pascal Patrick and Nasiru Jibril.
