By Tolúlopé Olátúnjí
Coach Finidi George has tendered his resignation as head coach of the Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, following mounting calls for his outright dismissal and other drastic actions against him by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
The announcement was made public by former Super Eagles media officer Toyin Ibitoye in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday.
George, 53, who assumed the role on April 29, 2024, faced significant challenges during his tenure, leaving the Super Eagles in fifth place with three points in their six-team Group C for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
According to The New Diplomat, the NFF Executive Committee has decided to appoint an expatriate Technical Adviser for the Super Eagles in the coming weeks. This strategic move aims to strengthen the team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers and the remaining FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
During an emergency meeting with top NFF executives, Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh emphasized the urgency of ensuring the Super Eagles’ qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He also called for immediate resolution of issues that hindered Nigerian football’s performance and growth.
Recall also that in response to the Super Eagles’ disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign, the Guild of Sports Editors in Nigeria called on the NFF board to step down if the team fails to secure a spot in the tournament. The Guild underscored the importance of accountability and significant reforms within the federation to guarantee the national team’s future success on the international stage.
George’s tenure saw him lead the team in just two matches against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and Benin Republic’s Cheatahs in the 2026 World Cup qualification series.
The Super Eagles suffered a setback with a 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic at the Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Monday, followed by a 1-1 draw with South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, last Friday.
