Nigeria’s Football Federation (NFF) has opted to hire a foreign coach for the national team following a disappointing start to their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup.
This decision marks a departure from last month’s appointment of a local coach, which initially received praise from Nigerian fans.
According to an NFF statement, the Executive Committee has resolved to employ an expatriate Technical Adviser for the Super Eagles in the coming weeks, ahead of the AFCON qualifiers in 2025 and the remaining FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
In May, Finidi George, a former Ajax winger, was appointed as the country’s new coach after the departure of Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, who led the team to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
However, Nigeria’s recent 2-1 defeat by Benin has left them second from bottom in Group C, with just three points from four matches.
With only the group winners guaranteed automatic qualification for the expanded 48-team World Cup, Nigeria faces an uphill battle. The four best group runners-up will proceed to a play-off, with the winner earning a spot in the inter-confederation play-offs.
This decision to hire a foreign coach reflects the NFF’s determination to improve the team’s performance and secure qualification for the prestigious World Cup tournament.
