Sports News of Monday, 17 June 2024
Source: goal.com
Former Ajax Amsterdam winger, Finidi George lasted just two underwhelming games in charge of the Super Eagles.
George was appointed Nigeria’s coach in April and took charge of the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Bafana Bafana and Benin.
They drew 1-1 against South Africa before losing 2-1 to the Cheetahs to settle fifth in Group C.
But the former Mallorca wideman has now stepped down as the Super Eagles coach, irked by the Nigeria Football Federation’s plans to bring in a technical advisor.
“Finidi confirmed to me that he resigned his position indeed,” Udoh said as per Daily Post.
“The reason being that he met with the NFF on Thursday and they had a very good conversation.
“They spoke about the things they need to do going forward and he (Finidi) asked if he will be back.
“At no point during that meeting did anyone tell him they were going to appoint a foreign technical adviser,” added Udoh.
“The NFF board had met on Wednesday and made that decision. But it was when Findi landed in Port Harcourt after that meeting that someone called him and informed him.
“He [Finidi] had to park his car and read the link to see that it actually was true,” he continued.
“So he waited for two days to see if anyone would contact him but nobody spoke to him. So he [Finidi] felt they didn’t want him anymore and so he decided to turn in his resignation.”
That George lasted just two games at the helm of the Super Eagles could indicate the challenges bedevilling Nigerian football.
The new coach hired by the NFF inherits a team that is enduring a rocky path in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
It would be a difficult task for the new coach to breathe life into their waning fortunes.
It’s back to square one for the NFF who are now searching for a new coach who they have to appoint in time before the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September.
For George, he is now unattached and free to join a team of his choice.