Omeruo sends warning to NFF about Super Eagles
Kenneth Omeruo has called upon the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to swiftly appoint a new coach for the Super Eagles before the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Following the departure of Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro in February after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria has been without a permanent coach. Despite considering a contract renewal for Peseiro, the NFF and the coach failed to reach an agreement, prompting the federation to open applications for the position in March.
In the interim, Enyimba coach Finidi George has been leading the Super Eagles. Despite facing challenges, including limited coaching staff, Finidi received praise from Omeruo for his tactics during recent matches against Ghana and Mali.
Expressing confidence in Finidi’s abilities, Omeruo emphasised the need for stability and urged the NFF to expedite the appointment process to provide clarity and direction for the team.
With the World Cup qualifiers underway, Omeruo stressed the importance of addressing the coaching situation promptly to ensure the team’s focus remains on securing qualification for the prestigious tournament.
“I don’t know about everyone, but for me and a few others, he (Finidi) did well. He was short-staffed. Only one coach working as an analyst, training without an assistant,” Omeruo told Brila.
“I like that he kept the same system we used at the AFCON. But against Mali, I would have played everyone, give everyone a chance to play, and maybe things would have turned out differently, and he would be a strong contender for the job.”
The Super Eagles’ campaign in the qualifiers started slowly, but Omeruo believes in the team’s potential to bounce back and achieve success. However, he emphasised that resolving the coaching issue is paramount to maintaining the team’s momentum and unity.
“We started the World Cup qualifiers poorly, and that’s on us as players, but I do believe we have the quality to qualify for the World Cup. But we need to sort out the issue of head coach real quickly because June is just around the corner.”
As Nigeria prepares for crucial fixtures against South Africa, Omeruo’s call for swift action underscores the significance of having a cohesive coaching setup to guide the Super Eagles towards their World Cup aspirations.
