By Adebayo Abubakar
The Nigeria’s Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu-Ejidike JP has applauded the appointment of former Nigerian international, and the head coach of Enyimba International FC, Finidi George as the substantive coach of senior men’s national football team, the Super Eagles, by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
This was contained in a press statement, signed by the Chairman, Office of the Nigeria Pillar of Sports (ONPS) Prince Ajide Olayioye, and made available to newsmen today.
The Super Eagles had been without a substantive coach, since the conclusion of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023, held between January and February this year in Cote d’Ivoire (in which Nigeria emerged runner-up, after losing to the host nation), and the expiration of coach Jose Pesseiro’s contract at end of February.
Finidi George who was part of Ajax Amsterdam’s squad that that won the UEFA Champions League, alongside his compatriot and his current chairman at Enyimba, Kanu Nwankwo in 1995, took charge of the team in an interim capacity; oversaw two friendly matches, against the Black Stars of Ghana, and the Eagles of Mali, winning 2-1, and losing 0-2, respectively.
Chief Agu-Ejidike, who is also the patron of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club (NFSC) describes the appointment of the Rivers State-born tactician as a square peg in a square hole.
The Nnewi-born business mogul explains that the NFF technical committee’s decision in recommending Finidi for the job, and and that of the NFF’s executive members to appoint the former Real Mallorca FC of Spain winger, as being in tandem with public preference, considering what indigenous coaches some of whom are Finidi’s contemporaries, are doing in Egypt, Senegal, Morocco, and Cote d’Ivoire.
The Anambra-born Sports philanthropist, therefore charges the new Eagles coach to go on, and prove that those who repose such a massive confidence in him to lead the national team took the right decision.
The Pillar of Sports also urges Nigerians (critical stakeholders) to rally round the coach, and support the team so that the Super Eagles can restore Nigeria’s glory among the comity of footballing nations in the world.
The immediate task before the technical crew of the Super Eagles is to win the next two matches in the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifiers against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, and the Squirrels of Benin Republic.
The Eagles are currently 3rd in the group with 2 points in as many many matches, behind Rwanda, and South Africa. The other teams in the group are Zimbabwe, and Lesotho.
