Nigeria have failed to win a match out of four games in the
qualification series, the latest being a shocking loss to the lowly Benin
Republic in their last clash. The development triggered a backlash from fans
calling for Finidi George’s sack.
Days after the loss, the NFF in a Thursday communique
following a meeting, said the appointment of the technical adviser would come
“in the coming weeks” and apologised to Super Eagles’ fans for the team’s
outings in recent days.
“The Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation held
a meeting on Wednesday, 12th June 2024 in hybrid mode to deliberate on
important issues in Nigeria Football and resolved as follows:
“The Executive Committee wholeheartedly apologized to
Nigerians for the dismal output and subsequent very poor returns of the Senior
Men National Team, Super Eagles, in four out of 10 matches in the ongoing
qualification series for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, and 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,” the NFF said.
“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.”
It is, however, unclear what role Finidi will play in the
Super Eagles going forward.
The NFF also “expressed displeasure with the poor attitude
of some of the players to the national assignment, and unanimously decided in
favour of a more robust scouting programme of outstanding Nigeria-eligible
players from across the four corners of the universe, who can add tremendous
value to the nation’s flagship team”.
Away from the Super Eagles, the football body promised to
support the Super Falcons in their preparations for the Olympics taking place
in France from 24th July – 11th August.