NFF spokeperson explains why Finidi George was preferred to Amunike, others for Super Eagles job
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) spokesperson, Ademola Olajire has revealed that Finidi George’s impressive coaching record and experience played a key role in his appointment as the new manager of the Super Eagles.
Following his stint as interim manager in two international friendlies in March, Finidi was named as the substantive coach of the team, prevailing over other candidates including Emmanuel Amuneke.
Ademola Olajire, the NFF Director of Communications, highlighted Finidi’s background as an assistant coach to Portuguese manager Jose Peseiro as a crucial factor in his selection.
Olajire expressed confidence in Finidi’s capabilities, citing his extensive experience working closely with the Super Eagles during the AFCON qualifiers and the tournament itself, where Nigeria finished as runners-up.
He praised Finidi’s decision to return to Nigeria and kickstart his coaching career with Enyimba FC, where he won the league title in his second season and is on track to potentially retain it in his third season.
“I’m not a member of the Technical Committee but I can also look at a lot of positives around Finidi George.” Olajire told Hotsports.
“Finidi George was not only a great football player, he has prepared himself very well and done himself no harm with the laurels he has been able to acquire in his short period as a coach
“Pertaining to the Super Eagles, he worked for twenty months as an assistant with Jose Peseiro, that gives him head start over anybody. He worked closely with the team, was with the team when they qualified for the AFCON and came second at the AFCON.
“It’s natural that someone of this stature, someone who has accomplished these things and who has been very close to the team gets the nod, with the fact that we have only five weeks to to very important matches,” Olajire told Hotsports
“He had the option of remaining in Spain and taking up an appointment with a second tier club but he chose to come back to Nigeria and start with an NPFL club.
“He started with Enyimba. In his second season, he won the league title. It is not easy to win the league title so we must praise him for that and looking at the log now, this is his third season with the team and with four matches to go he’s well on the way to retaining the title.
“That is no mean feat and it shows that this is a man who knows what he’s doing,” he said.
With less than five weeks before the crucial World Cup qualifying fixtures against South Africa, Finidi is expected to lead the Super Eagles with the aim of securing vital victories after drawing their opening matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
The NFF believes that Finidi’s wealth of experience, both as a player and a coach, positions him well to steer the Super Eagles towards success in the upcoming challenges.
