The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has shed more light on the Federation’s contractual agreements with the new Super Eagles coach, Finidi George.
The former Ajax Amsterdam star was unveiled as the head coach of the Super Eagles earlier this month as the team prepares for the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers, set to resume next month.
While the duration of Finidi’s contract was disclosed during the unveiling, other clauses within the agreement remained undisclosed.
Musa, speaking on ‘Soccer Africa' a Football Magazine show on Supersport Thursday night, provided further insight into the Federation’s contract with Finidi.
Here are some excerpts from his interview on the show:
Two-year deal for Finidi George
Gusau reiterated that Finidi is on a two-year contract with the Nigeria Football Federation and will be afforded the autonomy to manage the team as he sees fit.
Additionally, the President emphasized that during this tenure, the NFF will furnish the coach with all necessary resources and support his initiatives to achieve remarkable results with the team.
He stressed that no undue pressure will be placed on the coach to perform, but assured him of the essential tools needed to thrive.
Super Eagles must qualify for the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations
As part of the contractual stipulations, the Nigeria Football Federation has charged Finidi with the responsibility of securing qualification for the Super Eagles for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
While Nigeria has successfully qualified for the last three editions in 2019 (Egypt), 2021 (Cameroon), and 2023 (Ivory Coast), there were also instances of missing out on consecutive AFCONs in 2015 (Equatorial Guinea) and 2017 (Gabon).
Gusau tasked Finidi with ensuring that Nigeria builds upon the successes of the past AFCON in Ivory Coast, with the added objective of reaching the semi-finals in 2025.
Nigeria ‘must' be at the 2026 World Cup
Under Jose Peseiro, the Super Eagles did not commence their FIFA 2026 World Cup campaign on a positive note. Consecutive draws against Lesotho at home and Zimbabwe away have jeopardized automatic qualification.
Currently, Nigeria sits third in Group C of the qualifiers, trailing Rwanda with four points and South Africa with three points.
The Super Eagles will resume their qualifiers next month with two crucial games against Bafana Bafana and the Squirrels of Benin.
The pressure is mounting on Finidi as the NFF has mandated Nigeria’s presence at the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada in 2026. Gusau also disclosed that securing a quarter-final spot at the World Cup was included as a target for Finidi and the Super Eagles as part of the contract package.
Gusau: We did not impose Daniel Amokachi on Finidi
The NFF President dispelled rumors suggesting that Super Eagles legend Daniel Amokachi was imposed on Finidi as one of his assistants. Amokachi, who played alongside Finidi in the Super Eagles and was part of the 1994 AFCON winning team, was announced as part of the Super Eagles crew, sparking speculation, especially on social media.
Many speculated that the NFF appointed Amokachi against the Federation’s claim that Finidi would choose his assistants.
Gusau dismissed the notion that the football body enforced Amokachi on the team, asserting that Finidi himself selected Amokachi, along with his other assistants.
Thus far, Finidi’s backroom staff comprises Daniel Amokachi and Benjamin James as assistant coaches, Tunji Baruwa as goalkeeper trainer, Chima Onyeike as physical trainer, and Mehmet Ozturk, a Turkish national, as the video analyst.
Nigeria resumes its quest for World Cup qualification on June 7 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, marking Finidi’s inaugural game in charge in a substantive capacity.
