NFF confirms: Super Eagles will soon get a new expatriate coach

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) executive committee says the Nigerian senior team will have a new coach in the coming weeks. OwngoalNigeria.com reports.

Leaving the meeting, they confirmed in a statement made public that they had decided to opt for an expatriate coach after the recent disappointing performance of the newly appointed coach Finidi George during the just concluded World Cup qualifier.

Nigeria drew 1-1 with South Africa before losing 1-2 to Benin Republic, a result that leaves them fifth in the six-team group, four points behind leaders Rwanda.

However, the statement says nothing about Finidi’s future, whether he will be given a place in the proposed new structure or relieved of his appointment entirely.

Below is the content of the statement.

The Executive Committee of the Nigerian Football Federation held a meeting on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 in hybrid mode to deliberate on important issues of Nigerian football and resolved as follows:

1) The Executive Committee sincerely apologized to Nigerians for the dismal performance and subsequent very poor results of the Senior Men’s National Team, Super Eagles, in four out of 10 matches of the ongoing qualification series for the finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026, and pledged to work hard and take the necessary measures to ensure a better prepared team ahead of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers in September this year and the resumption of World Cup qualifiers in March 2025.

2) In addition to point (1) above, the Executive Committee resolved to employ an expatriate technical advisor for the Super Eagles in the coming weeks, prior to the AFCON qualifiers and the remaining matches of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

3) In addition to point (1) above, the Committee resolved to reinforce the NFF Technical Department with more qualitative hands. Likewise, the Technical and Development Subcommittee will be reorganized with immediate effect.

4) Despite the challenges posed by the team’s preparations for the matches on Day 3 and Day 4 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers due to a 38-hour nationwide strike, the Board expressed its displeasure at the poor attitude of some of the players towards National Allotment, and unanimously decided in favor of a more robust scouting program of outstanding Nigeria-eligible players from all corners of the universe, who can add tremendous value to the nation’s flagship team .

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

6) While appreciating the fact that the preparation of teams participating in the Olympic Games is the exclusive responsibility of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, the Executive Committee unequivocally stated that it will provide strong support, within the permitted space, to senior women . The Super Falcons national team will prepare properly for this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, which will be held in France July 24 – August 11.

6) To ensure an impressive performance by the U-20 Women’s National Team, Falconets, at this year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals in Colombia, August 31 – September 22, the Executive Committee instructed its Technical and Development Subcommittee to diligently and quickly consider the program presented by the Technical Director for the preparation of the team. The Board approved a two-phase camp for the team, with a four-week camp in Nigeria followed by a final two-week camp program in Colombia before the start of the tournament.

7) Impressed by the performance of the U-17 Women’s National Team, Flamingos, so far in their African qualification series for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, the Executive Committee tasked the Secretariat with ensuring the full preparation of the team for their final round, the last match against their Liberian counterparts, scheduled for the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday, June 14, 2024.

ATTENDANTS: Ibrahim Musa Gusau (President); Felix Anyansi-Agwu (First Vice President); Gbenga Elegbeleye (second vice president); Yusuf Ahmed (member); Babagana Kalli (Member); Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Member); Sunday Dele-Ajayi (Member); Aisha Falode (Member); Ganiyu Majekodunmi (member); Nse Essien (Member); Margaret Icheen (member); Timothy Heman Magaji (member); Silas Agara (Member); George Aluo (member); Nkechi Nneka Obi (Member); Mohammed Sanusi (Secretary).