Finidi George takes charge of Super Eagles as interim head coach

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has appointed ex-Nigerian striker Finidi George, as the interim head coach of the men’s national team, the Super Eagles.

Finidi will take charge from the sidelines as the Super Eagles clash with West African adversaries Ghana in a friendly match in Marrakech this Friday.

The 52-year-old, renowned for his stints at Ajax Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Real Betis in Spain, will temporarily lead the team as they face Ghana and Mali in international fixtures scheduled for this month.

The ex-international, who notably marked his debut with a goal during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Burkina Faso at Lagos’ National Stadium on July 27th, 1991, has been appointed by the NFF to oversee the team’s affairs during this period.

The respected household name in Nigerian football will replace Portuguese manager, Jose Peseiro, who left his job after his contract as coach of the Super Eagles officially expired.

Peseiro guided the Eagles to a second-place finish at the 2023 African Cup of Nations.

Meanwhile, 22 players had arrived in Morocco, with defenders Gabriel Osho, Tyronne Ebuehi, and forwards Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi out of the list due to injury.

At the team’s Adam Park Hotel in Marrakech are goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Olorunleke Ojo, defenders Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Jamilu Collins, Bruno Onyemaechi and Benjamin Tanimo, midfielders Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf, and forwards Moses Simon, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Sadiq Umar and Ademola Lookman.

Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defender Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi, and forward Kelechi Iheanacho will also land in Marrakech on Tuesday.

Nigeria will play Les Aigles of Mali at the same Grand Stade de Marrakech on Tuesday, 26th March.