Finidi George has resigned from his position as head coach of the Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, following a disappointing run in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Confirming his resignation to Channels Television, the former Ajax Amsterdam forward stated, “Yes, it is true. I have resigned,” in response to inquiries about his decision.
Under Finidi’s tenure, the Super Eagles managed a 1-1 draw against South Africa at home in Uyo and suffered a 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic in Abidjan, casting doubts on Nigeria’s path to World Cup qualification.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to issue an official response to George’s departure. However, sources indicate that the federation had recently held discussions with the coach following the disappointing results, which led to calls from fans for his dismissal.
In response to mounting pressure, the NFF had initially considered hiring an expatriate technical adviser to bolster the team’s performance. Following an emergency meeting with the Sports Minister and football officials, it was decided that such an appointment would be made to guide the Super Eagles through upcoming competitions.
“The Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation held a meeting on Wednesday, 12th June 2024, where they acknowledged the poor results of the Super Eagles in the World Cup qualifiers,” stated an official communication from the NFF. “In response, the committee has apologized to Nigerians and committed to enhancing the team’s preparation for future tournaments, starting with the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.”
The statement further confirmed the intent to recruit an expatriate technical adviser, signaling a shift in the team’s coaching strategy as they aim to regroup ahead of crucial qualifying matches.
