Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Finidi George resigns as Super Eagles’ coach after humiliating results; says he’s not hungry

“Finidi tendered his resignation on Thursday and said he was not hungry and they should bugger off,” an NFF official told Peoples Gazette Saturday afternoon.

• June 15, 2024
Finidi George
Finidi George [Credit: Punch Newspaper]

Nigeria legend Finidi George has resigned as the head coach of the Super Eagles, bowing out in anger after two embarrassing games that drew nationwide uproar.

Finidi’s resignation followed the backlash that followed the team’s poor results in the last two 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The Super Eagles drew 1-1 with South Africa in Uyo last week Friday and lost to the Squirrels of Benin Republic this week, leaving the team with 3 points from 4 games in the World Cup qualification series.

Sports minister John Enoh demanded an inquiry into the Eagles’ poor performance. After an emergency meeting on Thursday, the Nigeria Football Federation released a communique stating that a foreign technical adviser would be hired before the next round of matches in September.

Finidi was present at the meeting, but the communique issued afterwards, as well as other statements from top NFF and ministry officials, didn’t clearly state whether the former Real Betis and Ajax man would be relieved of his job with the Super Eagles. He was also threatened with the hiring of a new head coach from overseas, which many saw as a humiliation.

But sources familiar with the development said Finidi resigned immediately after the meeting on Thursday, but that the decision was initially hushed up amid efforts to convince him to reconsider.

“Finidi tendered his resignation on Thursday and said he was not hungry and they should bugger off,” an NFF official told Peoples Gazette Saturday afternoon. The resignation has yet to be officially announced, and both Finidi and government officials involved have yet to publicly comment on the matter.

Finidi, who also coached local side Enyimba, has reportedly said he would not work under the supervision of a foreign head coach for the Eagles.

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