Former Super Eagles star Finidi George has opened up about why his stint as head coach of Nigeria’s national football team was short-lived.
Finidi was appointed interim coach and later handed the job on a permanent basis, taking over from Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro. However, his time in charge was brief, ending after just two competitive matches.
During his short reign, the Super Eagles faced a tough 2026 World Cup qualifier loss against Benin Republic and were held to a goalless draw by South Africa.
Reflecting on his time as coach in an interview with *SportsBoom*, Finidi revealed the struggles behind the scenes that impacted the team’s performance.
“I wanted us to open camp a little earlier because the season had ended, and the FA initially agreed, but later changed their minds,” Finidi explained. “I wanted the camp to open on May 26, but they said it wasn’t possible because some players were already on holiday, which was very strange to me.”
Finidi stressed the importance of fitness at the international level, noting that even the best tactics can fail without proper preparation.
“If you’re not fit enough at that level, no matter the tactics, you can’t perform at your best,” he said, adding that the team’s concentration was lacking, which led to the concession of easy goals.
He also pointed out that the intensity of the players during friendlies didn’t match what was needed for crucial qualifiers: “Most players didn’t show up. The intensity in friendly matches often differs from crucial qualifiers,” he noted.
Finidi’s tenure may have been brief, but his reflections highlight the challenges that come with managing at the highest level of football.
