AJIBADE OLUSESAN 
There are increasing concerns about the Nigeria Football Federation’s inability to hire a permanent coach for the Super Eagles. This comes after the former manager, George Finidi, resigned just weeks before the start of the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers. AJIBADE OLUSESAN writes that high-power politics, indecision, and lack of funds have contributed to the delay in appointing a new coach.
The search for a new head coach for the Super Eagles has become a saga marked by intense political manoeuvring, chronic indecision, and a severe lack of financial resources. It has been over a month since the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, announced in a press statement that they had decided to appoint a foreign coach.
This decision came after the Eagles lost 2-1 to the less fancied Benin Republic in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, following a 1-1 draw with South Africa in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
These results have left Nigeria in a precarious situation in the race for the sole ticket from the group, as they currently sit fifth in a six-team section with just three points from four matches.
There were questions about the future of the then-coach, Finidi George, who was in charge of the two matches, but the ex-international decided to end his relationship with the NFF as he resigned days after the announcement was made.
Drama before
Finidi’s appointment It took the Federation more than three months to settle on Finidi as their choice. The former international emerged after an intriguing process that typified the current saga.
Several coaches, both local and expatriates, were considered for the job after the NFF called for applications from interested candidates. More than 100 coaches applied, and it seemed likely that the NFF would accept the recommendation of its technical committee, which had shortlisted three foreigners.
The cash-strapped NFF was prepared to appoint a coach based on a preliminary agreement reportedly made with the Sports Minister John Enoh. However, our correspondent reported that high-level politics forced a change of plan, resulting in the selection of Finidi. “Finidi was not the NFF’s first choice,” a top official of the Federation told New Telegraph.
“His selection was simply political, meant to counter the forces pushing for another former international, Emmanuel Amuneke, and to thwart the original plan to hire a foreign coach. “I can tell you that the forces in favour of Amuneke secured strong support in the Presidency to make his appointment a reality.
If it weren’t for political dexterity and manoeuvring from the leadership of the NFF, influenced by a former President of the Federation, an ex-commissioner in a Southwest state, and a powerful industrialist with strong connections, Amuneke would have become the Eagles’ coach ahead of Finidi, against the will of the football house.”
Highwire Politics
With Finidi no longer in contention and a renewed interest in hiring a foreign coach, there is now a new round of political manoeuvring among football stakeholders to secure the appointment of their favoured candidates for the vacant position.
Many coaches have been linked to the position, but there are conflicting reports regarding the preferred candidates, leading to a complicated and contentious selection process.
Sources within the NFF have revealed that the delay is primarily due to conflicting interests among board members, sports ministry officials, and powerful stakeholders within the football community. There is intense lobbying and maneuvering behind the scenes, with various factions pushing for their choice to be appointed as the head coach.
Initially, it was expected that one of the coaches shortlisted by the technical committee, especially Antonio Conceição, would be quickly appointed. However, the dynamics have changed, and now numerous parties are advocating for their own candidates, causing delays in the decision-making process.
Insiders indicate that several high profile candidates have been considered, but the lack of a consensus has left the position unfilled. The influence of political figures both within and outside the sporting realm has further complicated matters by pressuring the NFF to align with their preferred choices.
Other coaches linked to the job include Luis Fernandez, Joaquin Caparros, Didier Six and Miguel Herrera but a former coach of Mali, Eric Sekou Chelle, former Togo coach, Tom Saintfiet, and ex-Manager of England Steve McLaren are the latest men linked with the job. Two-time African Cup of Nations winner with Cote d’Ivoire and Zambia, Renard Havre, was also rumoured to have been contacted by the Federation.
Paucity of Funds
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is facing financial difficulties, which is affecting its ability to attract top coaching talent.
For example, the NFF was interested in hiring a coach with an impressive resume named Havre, but his representatives stated that only a $180,000 salary would entice him to accept the job.
Historically, Nigeria has had issues with paying coaches. It took the intervention of President Bola Tinubu to clear a 13-month salary backlog for former coach Jose Peseiro, and a previous coach had to threaten legal action at FIFA to receive his owed salary.
The NFF’s financial situation has led to them relying on the Ministry of Sports to finance the coach’s salary and heavily involve the minister in the selection process. There are also indications that Minister Enoh could play the biggest role in the hiring of an expatriate coach, as he was in England with Gusau to interview potential candidates for the position.
Experts react
“The NFF must make decisive and timely decisions. Prolonged deliberations and failed negotiations only serve to destabilize the team and diminish their chances of success especially as the Nations Cup qualifiers draw near,” former super Eagles Dimeji Lawal, counselled.
“The continuous delay is worrisome,” ex-international, Jide Oguntuase told our correspondent. “Every day without a coach is a missed opportunity for the team to prepare adequately for upcoming tournaments. The NFF needs to act swiftly to avoid jeopardizing our chances.”
“I won’t say I am worried, but the situation is disappointing,” remarked another former international, Sam Sodje. “It is a shame that the NFF has continued to fail in terms of learning from past mistakes. We are struggling in the World Cup qualifiers because of the way we handled the appointment of coaches, and up till now, we have not done the right thing.
This can only happen in Nigeria where professionalism is scarce. It’s a shame that we don’t ever value the essence of good preparation.” Another former international player Mobi Oparaku accused the NFF and the Ministry of Sports of causing the crisis for the decision to hire Finidi instead of his former teammate, Amuneke.
He insisted the hiring of a foreign coach was still a bad decision and that an Indigenous handler should still have been considered. “Bringing in a new coach presents its own set of challenges because it marks the beginning of a new era for us. The coach will bring his own tactics, philosophy, and style of play.
The reality is that we don’t have the luxury of time, as we have upcoming African Cup of Nations qualifiers and we are in a difficult position with the World Cup qualifiers. We need someone who understands our football and appreciates the challenges we are facing.
It has to be someone from our own ranks who can solve the problem, as we still have people with the ability to deliver. I hope the NFF can put aside their pride and do the right thing. “Getting a new coach comes with its challenges because it is going to be a new era and we are going to start all over again.
He comes with his own tactics, philosophy and pattern of play and the truth of the matter is that we don’t have the luxury of time again because of the assignments before us. There are African Cup of Nations qualifiers about to start and we are in a mess with the World Cup qualifiers.
Who is that person who understands our football and appreciates the challenges that we have now? It has to be someone from our own people who can solve the problem. We still have people who have the capacity to deliver. I hope the NFF can swallow their pride and do the right thing.” he said.
