In a meeting held yesterday, the NFF assented to hiring an expatriate as the Super Eagles Technical Adviser after Finidi George was deemed unfit for the role of the Super Eagles head coach.
Finidi George, who was recently appointed to occupy the vacant position of the Super Eagles head coach after Jose Peseiro resigned, has been deemed unfit for the role following a poor outcome after he was evaluated after two official games.
The Super Eagles have not won any of their four World Cup qualifiers, with the last two matches under George’s guidance. They drew against South Africa in Uyo and were beaten by Benin in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, a result that has now jeopardized their World Cup qualification hopes.
Some of the issues deliberated on and resolutions made by the Executive Committee are as follows:
The Executive Committee wholeheartedly apologized to Nigerians for the dismal performance and subsequent very poor results of the Senior Men National Team, the Super Eagles, in four out of ten matches in the ongoing qualification series for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals. They pledged to work assiduously and put necessary measures in place to ensure a better-prepared squad ahead of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers in September this year and the resumption of the World Cup qualifiers in March 2025.
Further to (1) above, the Executive Committee resolved to employ an expatriate Technical Adviser for the Super Eagles in the coming weeks, ahead of the AFCON qualifiers and the remaining FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
Still further to (1) above, the Committee resolved to strengthen the NFF Technical Department with more qualified personnel. Additionally, the Technical and Development Sub-Committee will be restructured with immediate effect.
Despite the challenges faced in the team’s preparations for the Day 3 and Day 4 games of the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches due to a 38-hour nationwide industrial action, the Board expressed displeasure with the poor attitude of some players towards the national assignment. They unanimously decided in favor of a more robust scouting program to identify outstanding Nigeria-eligible players from across the globe who can add significant value to the national team.
The Executive Committee also resolved that a Stakeholders’ Forum be convened in a few weeks’ time to deliberate on amendments to the current NFF Statutes, in conjunction with the world football-governing body, FIFA.
While acknowledging that the preparation of teams involved in the Olympic Games falls within the purview of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, the Executive Committee stated unequivocally that it will provide robust support, within the allowed scope, to the Senior Women National Team, the Super Falcons, to adequately prepare for this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, taking place in France from 24th July to 11th August.
To ensure an impressive performance of the U20 Women National Team, the Falconets, at this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in Colombia from 31st August to 22nd September, the Executive Committee mandated its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to diligently and swiftly consider the program submitted by the Head Coach for the team’s preparation. The Board approved a two-phase camping for the team, with a four-week camp in Nigeria followed by a two-week final camp in Colombia before the tournament commences.
Impressed by the performance of the U17 Women National Team, the Flamingos, in their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup African qualification series, the Executive Committee charged the Secretariat to ensure total readiness of the team for its final round, final leg encounter against their Liberian counterparts, scheduled for the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Friday, 14th June 2024.
