Finidi George appointed as new head coach of Nigeria

Former Nigerian international Finidi George has been appointed as the new head coach of the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles. The 53-year-old takes over from Jose Peseiro, who left after Nigeria’s defeat in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final.

George, who had a successful playing career with clubs like Ajax and Real Betis, has been working as an assistant coach and led Enyimba to the Nigerian title last year. He will now be tasked with leading Nigeria in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers in June.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has high expectations for George, labeling the upcoming matches against South Africa and Benin as “must-win encounters.” The NFF has not announced the length of George’s contract, but he is expected to bring a new style of play to the team.

As a former winger, George is expected to utilize the talented squad at his disposal and nurture players in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). He will also continue to coach Enyimba, who are currently second in the league table with six games remaining.

The decision to appoint George over other candidates like Emmanuel Amuneke has sparked debate among fans of the Super Eagles. Amuneke, who led Nigeria to success at the Under-17 World Cup in 2015 and Tanzania to qualification for the 2019 Nations Cup, was considered a fan favorite for the role.

Overall, George’s appointment brings a mix of experience and success both on the pitch and in the dugout, and Nigerian fans will be eagerly anticipating his impact as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.