By Akinwale Kasali
The resignation of Finidi George as Super Eagles of Nigeria Coach, has been greeted with great joy and happiness from Soccer loving Nigerians.
It was not surprising to a huge section of soccer fans as the announcement was expected.
Soccer fans were disappointed following the abysmal performance of the National Team in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Godswill Obot Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State where they played 1-1, and the loss to the Squirrels of Benin Republic 2-1. The loss condemned the Super Eagles to Fifth position in the six-team log and put the chances of the team to qualify for the World Showpiece in jeopardy.
Before the announcement of Finidi George as the Super Eagles Coach by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, it was widely criticized. His experience and pedigree were queried, but the NFF shunned those criticisms and went ahead to announce him as the successor to Portuguese gaffer, Jose Peseiro.
Primate Elijah Ayodele, Founder, INRI Evangelical Church, known for his prophecies and public comments, had told the NFF that the appointment of George will spell doom for Nigeria, but this was ignored by the NFF bigwigs.
Also, a section of Football analysts had queried the criteria for the selection of Finidi as Coach, saying that the only experience he has as a Coach was his triumph with Enyimba of Aba Football Club in the 2023 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL.
He was also made the Assistant Coach to Jose Peseiro who guided the Super Eagles to a second place finish at the African Cup of Nation, AFCON, tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.
Oluwafemi Olusesi, a Football enthusiast, said that Finidi George made the best decision by throwing in the towel after the disastrous outing of the Super Eagles in the World Cup Qualifiers.
“The cyberbully he received was enough for him to resign. Nigerians are passionate about Football and experimenting at this stage is unacceptable.
“How will a Coach that knows what he wants will be benching a player that has been outstanding in the Bundesliga and led his team to triumphs in their domestic competition? How will you bench Victor Boniface and start Paul Onuachu? You will see that he doesn’t know what he is doing.
“Resigning honorably gives him more respect and prestige than been sacked”.
For Nnamdi Uchegbulam, a soccer fan, his resignation was expected long before now, but it is better he left before he is disgraced “.
It would be recalled that the NFF were planning to get a Foreign Technical Director for the Super Eagles, before Finidi George announced his resignation.
The NFF is yet to comment on the issue and state its next line of action.
