Abati: I thought I could rattle Tinubu during media chat — but he knows what he’s doing

By Ayobami Okerinde

Finidi George has left his job as coach of the Super Eagles after just two games in charge of the team without a win.

Finidi George’s departure follows a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic on matchday 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, leaving the Super Eagles without a win in four games.

His exit was confirmed by former Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye, on his X account on Saturday.

He wrote, “News just in. Finidi George #FinidiGeorge_FG has resigned from his #NGSuperEagles manager position.”

Also, a source within the NFF who confirmed the development stated that the federation is looking at employing another manager for the team. He also hinted that the federation is exploring the possibility of reducing the head coach’s salary.

The 53-year-old was unveiled as coach of the Super Eagles in May following the departure of Portuguese tactician Jose Peseiro at the end of the 2023 African Cup of Nations in February. However, in March, the former Enyimba boss took charge of the team interim for the doubleheader international friendly against Ghana and Mali.

With Nigeria’s qualification hopes hanging, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Ibrahim Gusau, says the Federation will take all necessary steps to ensure the Super Eagles qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

The NFF boss said this on Thursday in Abuja, shortly after a closed-door meeting with the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, to address Nigeria’s poor results in the qualifiers.

He said the NFF would continue to work closely with the sports ministry and other stakeholders to fashion out a winning template for the Super Eagles.

“It’s a very sad moment for Nigerian football. We cannot run away from that. But all I want to assure is that we are working tirelessly in conjunction with the minister to see that we come out with holistic measures that will change the face of the entire system so that we can move forward.

“Don’t forget, it is still possible, and I want to assure you that we are going to fight it to the latter and Nigeria will qualify for the World Cup.

“This is not something I will just say it now but very soon you are going to see major steps that NFF would come out with and by the grace of God, those measures that we are going to take will lead us to qualify for the next World Cup,” he said. (Punch)