Why we excluded Finidi George and Ike Shorunmu from Super Eagles camp – NFF

In a few days, Nigeria's Super Eagles will square off against their neighbours in West Africa

According to recent rumours reported by several local media outlets, the Nigerian Football Federation fired a portion of the Super Eagles' technical staff.

The Nigerian football governing body has therefore released a statement condemning this media claim that it fired Finidi George and Ike Shorunmu from the Super Eagles coaching team.

Usman Abdallah, the third assistant coach, will assist Super Eagles head coach José Peseiro in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers between Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau, the NFF said.

The statement reads: “As part of cost-cutting measures instituted at the beginning of the new administration, we established a rotation policy among the assistant coaches, based on the high number, which was agreed with all of them. The last time that the team had a programme, Mr. Finidi George was the person who travelled for the friendly match in Portugal. This rotation policy is only for matches. When there is a tournament, all of them will be with the team.

“He knew at that time that the next trip would be that of Mr. Usman Abdallah. Abdallah is simply taking his turn to be in the camp for the program of Super Eagles Vs Djurtus of Guinea Bissau, and Mr. George will be around for the next program.”

The nation's top football organization additionally stated that they had the highest respect for the former Nigerian goalie, but the former international goalkeeper made it plain that he would not be attending the camp.

“We do not want to go into any details because we have the utmost respect for all our ex-internationals, including Mr. Shorounmu. It was only when we got the clear signal that he was unwilling to come, and the Head Coach was in a quandary, that he (Coach Peseiro) requested for the services of Olatunji Baruwa, who he had seen at work during the U20 AFCON in Egypt, to help do the work of training the goalkeepers.” The NFF added.

The Super Eagles players are currently preparing for their AFCON match at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on March 24.