Ikpeba: Continuity Gave Finidi George the Edge over Amuneke, Others

Kunle Adewale

Former Nigeria international and Borussia Dortmund forward, Victor Ikpeba, has given the main reason why the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), settled for Finidi George ahead of people’s favourite, Emmanuel Amuneke and other candidates that showed interest in the Super Eagles job. 

Finidi won the NPFL title with Enyimba last year in what was his debut season as a coach, whilst working simultaneously with the national team as Jose Peseiro’s assistant.

Since the departure of the Portuguese tactician, the former Ajax winger was appointed as an interim coach to help oversee the Super Eagles during the March International break. Finidi coached Nigeria to a win against Ghana, but lost the plot against Mali in Morocco.

On Monday, the NFF announced that Finidi will continue to lead the team, this time, permanently. His primary aim is to lead the Super Eagles to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking on Monday Night Footballshow on SuperSport, Ikpeba, who was on  the Technical Committee  that recommended Finidi for the job, stated that the NFF settled for the Rivers-born ex international because of financial constraint.

“Firstly, I want to congratulate Finidi George on his appointment as the Super Eagles coach. However, it was a difficult task because we initially wanted a foreign manager. However, we settled for Finidi because of the finances involved in the hiring of a foreign coach. It’s not like we don’t have confidence in our own coaches back home. We thought there should be continuity in the way Peseiro took the team to the final of the 2023 AFCON,” the former Borussia Dortmund forward hinted. 

Ikpeba reiterated that the federation could have opted for a foreign coach, instead, they chose to side with the plea of the Nigerian populace who wanted a local coach.

“So, eventually, we were guided by the NFF President to look inward. It’s not that we can’t afford a foreign manager, but Nigerians back home want a Nigerian coach, and that is what we have now,” the former Monaco Star player revealed.

Finidi George has just over a month to prepare his team as the Super Eagles will battle two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying games against South Africa and Benin Republic in June.