Newly-appointed substantive head coach of Nigeria’s senior male national team, Finidi George, believes he can achieve great things with the Super Eagles if he gets the needed support.
George’s confirmation as substantive head coach came on Monday after he served in an interim role during the March international friendlies against Ghana and Mali.
The 53-year-old, however, appears to have impressed the Board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in the two matches that he handled, having ended Nigeria’s 17-year winless run against Ghana with a 2-1 victory over the Black Stars before the Super Eagles fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Mali.
In one of his first utterances since being handed the role permanently, George has called for support from the NFF and all Nigerians.
Finidi George says Super Eagles will achieve a lot with NFF, Nigerians’ support
The former Ajax Amsterdam forward believes there’s a lot he can achieve with the national team if he receives the backing of all stakeholders.
He also hinted at talks with the NFF to put together a backroom staff after playing the March international friendlies without any formal support system in the dugout.
“I am happy with my appointment as Super Eagles Head Coach and I believe with the support of NFF and Nigerians, we shall achieve a lot. I still have to meet with the NFF and tidy up things before I have a formal media chat,” George is quoted as saying by Complete Sports.
NFF tasks Finidi George to win World Cup qualifiers against South Africa, Benin
Meanwhile, George has been tasked by the NFF to lead the Super Eagles to victory in their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin in June.
Nigeria are currently winless in Group C, where they occupy the third position after disappointingly drawing their opening two qualifying matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe under erstwhile coach Jose Peseiro.
“George’s immediate task will be to guide the Super Eagles to victory in two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic in Uyo and Abidjan respectively, in a little over five weeks,” the NFF said in its statement confirming George’s appointment.
“The matches are must-win encounters, with the Super Eagles lagging behind in third place in Group C of the African campaign behind Rwanda and South Africa.”
George and the Super Eagles will host South Africa in an important World Cup qualifier on June 2 before facing Benin a week later on the road, as they aim to record their first win of the qualifying campaign and get their World Cup hopes back on track.
