BOMBSHELL! NFF Technical Committee reveals why Finidi George was appointed Super Eagles head coach ahead of other candidates
A member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical committee, Victor Ikpeba has shed light on the rationale behind the decision to appoint Finidi George as the head coach of the Super Eagles ahead of other preffered candidates like Emmanuel Amunike.
The confirmation of Finidi’s appointment came from the NFF on Monday, April 29, 2024 marking a significant moment for Nigerian football.
Speaking on Supersports Monday Night Football, Ikpeba, who shared the field with Finidi during their playing days with the Super Eagles, disclosed that financial considerations played a key role in the selection process.
“Firstly, I want to congratulate Finidi George on his appointment as the Super Eagles coach. However, it was a difficult task because we (Technical Committee) initially wanted a foreign manager,” Ikpeba stated.
He elaborated, “However, we settled for Finidi because of the finance. It’s not like we don’t have confidence in our own coaches back home. We thought there should be continuity in the way Peseiro took the team to the final of the 2023 AFCON. So, eventually, we were guided by the NFF President to look inward.”
Ikpeba’s remarks underscore the financial constraints faced by the NFF, prompting them to opt for an internal candidate despite the initial preference for a foreign coach.
Finidi George’s tenure as head coach will begin with Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in June, marking the beginning of a new era for Nigerian football under his leadership.
