Why I Failed as Super Eagles Coach – Finidi George

Former Super Eagles coach, Finidi George, has shed light on the reasons behind his short-lived stint as head coach of Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles

Finidi, who took charge of the team in an interim capacity in March this year, oversaw the Super Eagles in friendly matches against Ghana and Mali. His role was solidified when he was named the permanent head coach two months later. However, his tenure came to an abrupt end after Nigeria failed to secure wins in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic.

In an interview with Sports Boom, the former Ajax winger expressed his frustration with the challenges he faced during his time with the national team, particularly pointing to player availability and preparation issues.

“Most players didn’t show up. The intensity in friendly matches is very different from important qualifiers,” Finidi explained. “I had requested for an earlier camp opening ahead of the qualifiers, but the FA later changed their minds. Some players were already on holiday, and they arrived at camp very late, which was strange to me.”

Finidi emphasized that the lack of preparation and fitness affected the team’s performance. “If you’re not fit enough, no matter the tactics, you can’t give your best. We conceded easy goals due to a lack of concentration,” he added.

Following his resignation, Finidi has since taken up a new role as the head coach of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Rivers United. His tenure with the Port Harcourt-based club has gotten off to a strong start, with the team remaining unbeaten in their first four games, securing three wins and one draw. Rivers United currently sit second on the NPFL table with 10 points, just two points behind league leaders Remo Stars.