FORMER president of the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick, has thrown his weight behind ex-international, FInidi George, to become the next coach of the Super Eagles.
Finidi is among the frontrunners for the vacant position left by Portuguese Coach Jose Peseiro, following the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The Nigeria Football Federation is expected to name a new coach for the team in no distant time, and the former NFF boss believes Finidi fits the bill.
“A player that was once regarded as one of the best wingers in the world. A player that played and like interned under one of the best coaches in the world Louis Van Gaal. At Real Betis he was excellent. At Ajax, if you know Ajax, you should know that they believe in developmental football. So, he has all the qualities. So, what do we need? This is my strong personal opinion,” Pinnick said on Arise TV.
Finidi, who worked as an assistant with Peseiro, was appointed on interim basis by the NFF to handle the team in recent international friendlies against West African rivals Ghana and Mali during the last FIFA break.
The 52-year-old won against Ghana and lost to Mali in what was regarded as an audition for him.
“He played two friendlies; he lost one against Mali amid negative history and won amid positive history against Ghana. He doesn’t have to be reckoned with but he is a strong personality. And I’m sure Finidi will surprise us. I’ve seen it, I’ve worked with him, as president, I brought him up as one of assistant coaches. He has qualities like leadership, dexterity and most importantly humility.
“So, if we have someone who has played under some of the best coaches in the world and also coached at that level, also coaching the most successful club in Nigeria, I think we should build capacity around him,” Pinnick added.
Aside from Finidi, a host of aspirants have been linked with the Super Eagles job and what remains to be seen is how soon the NFF will make an announcement, preparatory to the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in June.
Other candidates that have expressed interest in the job include US men’s U-19 coach Michael Nsien, 1994 AFCON winner and former Golden Eaglets and Tanzania coach Emmanuel Amuneke, Ndubuisi Egbo, Henry Makinwa, Sylvanus Okpala, Daniel Amokachi among other foreigners.
