Former Super Eagles coach, Finidi George, attributes his unsuccessful stint to the absence of key players and inadequate preparation during crucial World Cup qualifiers. He reflects on his frustration with the FA's scheduling changes and a personal dispute with star player Victor Osimhen, emphasizing professionalism and fitness challenges.
Finidi George has explained his challenges as head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, citing the unavailability of key players as the primary reason for his lack of success. After a brief stint, Finidi resigned following a 1-1 draw against South Africa and a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
In an interview with SportsBoom, Finidi shared his frustration over the failure to open the team's camp early, as the FA had initially agreed but later changed plans. He explained that many players arrived late, straight from their vacations, which hindered their performance due to a lack of fitness. "No matter the tactics, if you’re not fit, you can’t give your best," Finidi said, highlighting the players' lack of focus and preparedness, leading to defensive errors and easy goals.
The former AFCON 1994 champion also reflected on his disagreement with Victor Osimhen, saying that he would have handled the situation differently. He stated that if past coaches like Stephen Keshi or Christian Chukwu had criticized him, he wouldn’t have responded publicly, noting that people react to situations differently.
Finidi has since moved on to coach Rivers United while expressing disappointment over the events that led to his resignation from the Super Eagles role.
