Nigeria Football Federation Seeks Expatriate Coach To Revive World Cup Qualification Hopes

The Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) has revealed that Finidi George will soon be replaced by a foreign Technical Adviser. It is uncertain at this point whether he will continue as the team’s head coach.

Coach George, took over as the head coach of the three-time African champions in April after Jose Peseiro’s contract concluded following the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Yet, doubts about his capabilities have arisen after the Super Eagles delivered disappointing performances in June’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers, securing a 1-1 draw against South Africa and suffering a 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic.

In a bid to rescue Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, the NFF moved quickly following an executive meeting conducted on Wednesday.

A statement made available to Sportxparte read:

“The Executive Committee wholeheartedly apologized to Nigerians for the dismal output and subsequent very poor returns of the senior men national team, Super Eagles, in four out of 10 matches in the ongoing qualification series for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, and pledged to work assiduously and put necessary measures in place to ensure a better-prepared squad ahead of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers in September this year and the resumption of the World Cup qualifiers in March 2025.”

“Further to the above, the Executive Committee resolved to employ an expatriate Technical Adviser for the Super Eagles in the coming weeks, ahead of the AFCON qualifiers and the remaining FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.”

In addition to appointing a new manager, the NFF led by Ibrahim Gusau is also focused on restructuring the technical department of the country’s football.

It continued: “Still further to the above, the Committee resolved to beef up the NFF Technical Department with more qualitative hands. Equally, the Technical and Development Sub-Committee will be re-jigged with immediate effect.”

“Notwithstanding the challenges that attended the team’s preparations for the Day 3 and Day 4 games of the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, owing to a 38-hour nationwide industrial action, the Board expressed displeasure with the poor attitude of some of the players to the National Assignment, and unanimously decided in favor of a more robust scouting program of outstanding Nigeria-eligible players from across the four corners of the universe, who can add tremendous value to the nation’s flagship team.”

“The Executive Committee also resolved that a Stakeholders’ Forum be convened in a few weeks, to deliberate on amendments to the current NFF Statutes, in conjunction with world football-governing body, FIFA.”

The Super Eagles will aim to revive their qualification campaign as they face group leaders Rwanda in March 2025 at the Huye Stadium.

Amavubi (Rwanda national team) currently leads Group C with seven points from four matches, with South Africa and Benin Republic following in second and third place, both also on seven points but with a lesser goal difference.

Lesotho holds fourth place with five points, having won one match and drawn twice. Nigeria is in fifth place, trailing by two points.