‘He Has All The Qualities’_ Pinnick Voiced His Support For Finidi As Eagles’ Coach

• Amaju Pinnick, supports Finidi George as the next coach of the Nigerian national football team.
• Pinnick cites Finidi’s playing experience under top coaches.
• The NFF is expected to announce the new coach soon.

Eko Hot Blog reports that Former president of the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick, has voiced his support for ex-international FInidi George to become the next coach of the Super Eagles.

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Finidi George is one of the leading contenders for the open position left by Portuguese Coach Jose Peseiro, whose contract expired after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

The Nigeria Football Federation is anticipated to announce a new coach for the team soon, and the former NFF president is confident that Finidi is the right choice.

“A player that was once regarded as one of the best wingers in the world. A player that played and like interned under one of the best coaches in the world Louis Van Gaal. At Real Betis he was excellent.

“At Ajax, if you know Ajax, you should know that they believe in developmental football. So, he has all the qualities. So, what do we need? This is my strong personal opinion,” Pinnick said on Arise TV.

Finidi, who worked as an assistant with Peseiro, was appointed on interim basis by the NFF to handle the team in recent international friendlies against West African rivals Ghana and Mali during the last FIFA break.

The 52-year-old secured a victory against Ghana but suffered a loss to Mali, which was seen as a trial for him.

“So, if we have someone who has played under some of the best coaches in the world and also coached at that level, also coaching the most successful club in Nigeria, I think we should build capacity around him,” Pinnick added.

Apart from Finidi, numerous candidates have been associated with the Super Eagles position, timing of the Nigeria Football Federation’s announcement is crucial, especially with the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers looming in June.

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Among the contenders are Michael Nsien, coach of the US men’s U-19 team, Emmanuel Amuneke, a former 1994 AFCON champion who has coached the Golden Eaglets and Tanzania, Ndubuisi Egbo, Henry Makinwa, Sylvanus Okpala, Daniel Amokachi, and several other foreign coaches.

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