Former Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George, has opened up about the factors behind his brief and underwhelming stint with Nigeria’s national football team, MySportDab Reports.
Despite his highly anticipated appointment, the celebrated former winger struggled to deliver the expected results, leading to his resignation.
Finidi, who previously enjoyed a successful managerial spell with Enyimba FC, guiding them to a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title, was appointed to lead the Super Eagles amid high hopes.
However, his time in charge was marred by inconsistent performances, with the team falling short in critical matches.
In an exclusive interview with Sports Boom, Finidi revealed that inadequate preparation and player fitness were key issues during his tenure. He expressed frustration over the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)’s refusal to open the training camp earlier, despite his requests.
“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.”
The lack of early preparation, according to Finidi, meant that players arrived in camp unfit, significantly impacting the team’s readiness for crucial matches.
He emphasized that fitness is paramount at the international level, and without proper conditioning, no tactical approach could save the team from underperforming.
“If you’re not fit enough at that level, no matter the tactics, you can’t perform at your best,” he added.
Finidi also highlighted the challenges of assembling players on time, which further affected the team’s overall concentration and cohesion.
He pointed out that these factors contributed to crucial mistakes, leading to soft goals conceded during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
While his tenure included a friendly win over Ghana, it was overshadowed by a defeat to Mali and poor results in the World Cup qualifiers, including a draw against South Africa and a loss to the Benin Republic, ultimately sealing his exit.
Finidi’s revelations shed light on the difficulties he faced in trying to elevate Nigeria’s football fortunes during his short time as head coach.
