Coach or Magician: What does the NFF want for our Super Eagles?
Today, the draws for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be made, yet the Super Eagles of Nigeria, unlike their potential opponents, are without a head coach. It is no longer news that Finidi George has resigned from his position as head coach of the Super Eagles. In fact, the former Real Betis star has already found himself a new job at Rivers United FC.
The subject of this article, “COACH OR MAGICIAN, What Does the NFF Want for the Super Eagles of Nigeria,” is premised on the fact that the system of appointing coaches just weeks or days before international engagements has not worked for Nigeria. Perhaps what the team needs is a magician who can take charge of the Eagles when matches are just weeks away and deliver the big wins Nigerians so desire.
HOW DOES A COACH WORK?
One would think it wise for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to move quickly to appoint a new head coach for the Super Eagles. A coach is expected to study prospective opponents, analyze the best tactics to face them, and reach out to the players weeks before the game.
Finidi George, for example, did not enjoy the luxury of time. He lacked the opportunity to reach out and possibly visit his players at their clubs. Perhaps the rift with Victor Osimhen could have been avoided if communication had been in good shape, as is typical with coaches, rather than the ‘magic system’ the NFF often imposes.
This same cry rolls down to the age-grade teams. Manu Garba was given only a few weeks to prepare the Golden Eaglets for the WAFU B U-17 Championship. The result of the ‘come-we-have-a-match’ ‘magic system’ demanded by the NFF saw Nigeria dancing back and forth in search of a U-17 AFCON spot. Ultimately, they failed after clarification that the number of qualified teams had not been increased following a third-place finish for Coach Manu Garba and his boys.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?
Nigeria needs a coach. Whether indigenous or foreign is not the concern of this writer. After all, the last two foreign-based coaches in charge of the Super Eagles struggled at the start and only got better with time on the job. With Nigeria’s slim World Cup qualification hopes hanging on a perfect outing in the remaining qualification games and the upcoming 2025 AFCON qualifiers, it is time for a new coach to be appointed.
Let him start his gamble in the head and settle the rift and division in the team in time. Unless there is a good plan to appoint a magician who will do wonders, the Nigeria Football Federation is in charge – let them do what is right at the right time.
The NFF must realize that appointing a coach is not just about filling a position but about planning for success. A well-prepared coach, given time and support, can transform the Super Eagles into a formidable team. The time for action is now.
