Finidi’s work experience with Peseiro pivotal to his selection as Super Eagles Coach – NFF

Finidi George’s impressive record with Enyimba and his amazing run as assistant coach to Jose Peseiro were crucial to his appointment as the new coach of the Super Eagles, according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

After leading Nigeria in two international friendlies in March, the Glass House appointed Finidi as the team’s substantive coach.

George defeated his compatriot, Emmanuel Amuneke, and others to clinch the national team job.

NFF Director of Communications Ademola Olajire stated on Tuesday that his experience working as an assistant coach to Portuguese manager Jose Peseiro was crucial.

“I’m not a member of the Technical Committee, but I can also look at a lot of positives around Finidi George.

“Finidi George was not only a great football player; he has prepared himself very well and done himself no harm with the laurels he has been able to acquire in his short period as a coach.

“Pertaining to the Super Eagles, he worked for twenty months as an assistant with Jose Peseiro, which gives him a head start over anybody.

“He worked closely with the team, was with the team when they qualified for the AFCON, and came in second at the AFCON.

“It’s natural that someone of this stature, someone who has accomplished these things and who has been very close to the team, gets the nod, given that we have only five weeks to play very important matches,” Persecondnews quotes Olajire as saying.

He also lauded Finidi’s decision to return to Nigeria and start his coaching career with the Aba Elephants.

He said: “He had the option of remaining in Spain and taking up an appointment with a second-tier club, but he chose to come back to Nigeria and start with an NPFL club.

“He started with Enyimba. In his second season, he won the league title. It is not easy to win the league title.

“So we must praise him for that, and looking at the log now, this is his third season with the team, and with four matches to go, he’s well on the way to retaining the title.

“That is no mean feat, and it shows that this is a man who knows what he’s doing.”