Former Real Madrid B star urges NFF to appoint new Super Eagles coach before 2025 AFCON qualifiers

Former Nigerian international Dimeji Lawal has emphasised the urgency for the Nigeria Football Federation to swiftly appoint a new head coach for the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.

The NFF has yet to announce a successor to Finidi George, who stepped down in June following a disappointing start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Finidi, previously an assistant coach to Jose Peseiro during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire where Nigeria finished as runners-up, only managed the national team for 40 days.

His tenure included a 1-1 home draw against South Africa in Uyo and a critical 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic in Abidjan, putting Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes in jeopardy.

There are indications that the NFF is in discussions with several foreign coaches, including Herve Renard, a two-time AFCON-winning tactician.

Despite these ongoing negotiations, the delay in appointing a new head coach is causing concern as Nigeria prepares for their 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign, which is just weeks away.

Lawal, a former Real Madrid B player, has urged the NFF to expedite the appointment process to ensure the new coach has adequate time to familiarise himself with the team.

“I really think the NFF must take a drastic decision in appointing a new coach for the Super Eagles since the qualifiers are around the corner,” Lawal told Complete Sports.

“Delay in the appointment of a coach often affects the team’s performance because the coach does not have time to relate perfectly with the players. But if it doesn’t happen that way, then the NFF should appoint a coach on an interim basis for the Super Eagles.”

For the AFCON qualifiers, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been placed in a group with Rwanda, Benin, and Libya.

Only the top two teams from each group will secure a spot in the tournament set to take place in Morocco in 2025.

This post was last modified on August 7, 2024 8:19 pm

Imhons Erons

View Comments

  • Work from home and earn a respectable $60k a week, which is amazing considering that a year ago I was unemployed in a terrible economy. I always give God praise for honouring me with these rules, and now it’s my duty to practise anticipatory compassion and share it with everyone. Likewise, GOOD LUCK.

    Here is I begun═════►►Www.join.payathome9.com

Share
Published by
Imhons Erons

Recent Posts

Nottingham Forest unwilling to sell Super Eagles star despite exit links

English Premier League high-flyers Nottingham Forest are unwilling to sell Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi… Read More

3 hours ago

Footballer turned Golfer: Odemwingie hungry to raise Olympic-level competitors in Nigeria

Former Super Eagles and LOSC Lille striker, Peter Osaze Odemwingie, is putting in the underground… Read More

8 hours ago

From John Finch to Éric Chelle: Who are the 37 coaches that have led the Super Eagles?

The appointment of Éric Sékou Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles… Read More

9 hours ago

Trabzonspor make fresh transfer decision on Bruno Onyemaechi as Boavista insist on ₦4.7 billion deal

Trabzonspor's bid to secure Nigerian international Bruno Onyemaechi from Portuguese side Boavista has reportedly stalled… Read More

9 hours ago

Crystal Palace vs Stockport: Super Eagles’ Bright Osayi-Samuel reacts to Eze Eberechi’s standout performance

Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel has praised the performance of Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze… Read More

10 hours ago

Nigeria-eligible Chelsea midfielder closes in on Borussia Dortmund move following Maresca’s statement

Nigeria-eligible Chelsea midfielder, Carney Chibueze Chukwuemeka, is nearing a move to Bundesliga giants, Borussia Dortmund,… Read More

10 hours ago