It has come to our attention that the former Ajax star has
officially signed a contract as the Technical Manager of the Nigeria Premier
Football League side Rivers United. The Port Harcourt-based club is preparing
for an official unveiling of the new manager.
Mr. Finidi has signed a two-year contract and will be
formally introduced on Thursday, according to an anonymous official from the
Port Harcourt-based club.
During his tenure with Ajax, Real Betis, and other
international clubs, Finidi George gained significant recognition. However, it
was his remarkable performances for Sharks FC in Port Harcourt that initially
propelled him into the spotlight. Sharks FC has since undergone a
transformation and is now known as Rivers United. This has made his appointment
and impending unveiling a perfect homecoming.
Under the previous leadership of Stanley Eguma, who was
later dismissed during the season and temporarily succeeded by Evans Ogenyi,
Rivers United concluded the recent NPFL season in eighth position.
This outcome represents their weakest performance in the
league since finishing ninth six seasons ago.
An Exceptional Athlete and Budding Coach
Mr. Finidi was an esteemed member of the renowned ‘Golden
Generation’ that triumphantly secured the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations tournament
held in Tunisia. Furthermore, they left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s debut at
the FIFA World Cup finals in the United States the same year, captivating
audiences as the second most entertaining team.
Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Finidi represented
Nigeria with distinction, earning 62 caps. Notably, he showcased his
exceptional talent at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals. Additionally, he
achieved remarkable success in the AFCON tournaments, securing gold, silver,
and bronze medals in 1992, 1994, 2000, and 2002.
Prior to assuming the role of national team coach, Finidi
held the position of head coach at Enyimba International Football Club in the
Nigeria Premier Football League.
During his second season with the club, he successfully led
the team to secure the NPFL title.
His objective is to achieve a similar level of success with
Rivers United Football Club, which notably won the league championship during
the 2021/22 season.