OFFICIAL: Finidi George quits as Super Eagles boss after just 47 days in charge

By Samuel Ahmadu

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the departure of Finidi George after just two games in charge as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles, NigeriaFootball.ng understands.

Finidi was appointed in April as the coach of the 2023 AFCON silver-winning Super Eagles, permanently replacing Jose Peseiro, with whom he had worked as an assistant coach for 20 months.

Following a shocking 2-1 defeat to the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan, Finidi faced intense scrutiny due to Nigeria’s disappointing performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Concerns about failing to qualify for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada prompted the NFF to seek a foreign Technical Adviser for the Super Eagles.

“Yes, it is true. I have resigned,” George wrote in response to inquiries from Channels Television.

Corrborating the development, a source at the NFF Secretariat revealed to BSNSports.com.ng on Saturday that “The football legend tendered his resignation letter late Friday via email to the NFF. He mentioned that he would personally deliver the hard copy after the Sallah break.”

The source added, “His decision to resign stems from his unwillingness to work as a Head Coach under a foreign Technical Adviser, effectively demoting him to the assistant role he previously held under Peseiro.”

However, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is yet to officially react to this development.

George, 53, a former player for the Super Eagles, took over as head coach following Jose Peseiro’s 20-month contract expiration in February. But his relegation was the result of the team’s underwhelming performance in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin.

Under George as head coach, Nigeria played two matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifier. The team lost shockingly to Benin Republic and drew 1 -1 against South Africa.

Finidi’s brief tenure extended Nigeria’s winless streak in the qualifiers, building on the two draws recorded under former coach Jose Peseiro.

Nigeria currently sits in fifth place in the Group C qualification standings, above only Zimbabwe, with three points, trailing Rwanda, South Africa, and Lesotho by four points.