This Monday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, former Nigerian international Finidi George was formally introduced by Minister of Sports Development John Enoh as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, the senior men’s national team of Nigeria.
The Super Eagles coach has also picked his former national teammate, Daniel Amokachi and two foreigners as his assistants.
Finidi made the announcement after he was officially unveiled to the press as the new head coach in Abuja. He also retained Olatunji Baruwa as the goalkeeper’ s trainer. Baruwa occupied the same position under Jose Peseiro, while the names of the two foreign assistants would be revealed before the Super Eagles 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures against Bafana Bafana of South Africa and Squirrels of Benin.
The 53-year-old former Ajax player, who resigned from his position as head coach of Enyimba on Sunday in order to focus on his new role, stated that winning the next two qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic is his immediate goal.
The major step and target for me is the two World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic that we have. If we can win the matches, we have set the tone and we will take it up from there,” George said.
He asked for help from the media, stating that the task would not be simple.
“I’ll do all in my power to ensure that the team plays well and begins to win games. Therefore, I don’t think I’m under any pressure, and I just want to beg of all of you in the media: please, we need your help.
Finidi remarked, “This is not an easy job for anybody, but if we work together, we will achieve.”
Following the departure of Portuguese manager Jose Peseiro, the former Nigerian winger was named in a meaningful role as the team’s head coach.
During the most recent African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where the squad ended in second place, he assisted Peseiro.
A few weeks ago, George’s hiring was made public when he temporarily assumed leadership of the squad for the international friendly against Ghana and Mali.