Finidi said to be out of reckoning as NFF looks to announce new Super Eagles coach this week

ENYIMBA of Aba head coach Finidi George appears to be out of the reckoning as the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) looks set to name a new Super Eagles manager later this month as he does not appear to possess the necessary coaching licences.

After the recent African Cup of Nations tournament in February, the NFF parted ways with coach Jose Peseiro and since then the search for a new manager has been on. Apparently, a shortlist which includes both  local and foreign coaches has been drawn up but according to NFF sources, Finidi's name is not on the list because he has fallen short of the necessary requirements.

It appears that despite the public endorsement by former NFF president Amaju Pinnick, Finidi George is out of the reckoning. One NFF official said that besides not processing the requisite coaching badges, Finidi did not pass his audition after he was handed temporary charge for the friendlies against Ghana and Mali in Morocco last month.

He added: “He does not have Uefa Pro license, what he has is Uefa A license. Also, his man-management during the matches in Morocco left a lot to be desired after he fell out with several of the players.

“He was also found wanting as per his decisions particularly the game against Mali when he made only two substitutions even with so many players on the bench, who did not play against Ghana.”

Several state football association chairmen lost faith with Finidi as the Eagles substantive coach after the two recent friendlies in Morocco, where the Super Eagles beat Ghana 2-1 before they lost 2-0 to Mali. Before the matches, the  NFF technical committee shortlisted the former Ajax winger, who assisted Jose Peseiro at the recent 2023 Nations Cup, for further consideration but hey arte now having second thoughts.

Later this week, the NFF technical committee will meet in Abuja to deliberate on the appointment of a new coach for the Super Eagles. Among the other candidates still in the running are ex-Golden Eaglets and Tanzania coach Emmanuel Amunike and former Ivory Zambia and Morocco coach Herve Renard.