Jonathan Nwokpor
Finidi George resigned as the Super Eagles’ head coach one week ago.
The Nigeria Football Federation, or NFF, has since declined to acknowledge receiving the letter in public.
The NFF president, Ibrahim Gusau, was the only one in the Glass House to make a statement.
Gusau asserted that he was not aware of Finidi’s resignation letter.
“Not yet aware,” he stated.
But one thing is sure—Finidi is no longer playing the part.
After their appalling results in the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign, the NFF declared on Thursday that it would name an “expatriate technical adviser,” prompting the former Nigerian international to stand down.
Out of a possible 12, the three-time African champions have only managed three points.
Their chances of qualifying are also in doubt because they are ranked fifth out of six teams in Group C.
Football fans disagree about whether the NFF should give another local coach a chance, even if it is obvious that they want to hire a foreign coach.
Nwosu Digital marketer and podcaster Michael Izuchukwu is adamant that the ship has sailed.
“Honestly, I think we need to let go of the nostalgia from the late Stephen Keshi’s time and just go foreign,” Izuchukwu tells ZINGITE.
“Keshi already had experience coaching Togo before he got the Super Eagles job.
“I don’t think we have any local coach who can boast of that sort of experience.”
Those who have supported local coaches have emphasised how ineffective the recent foreign tacticians have been.
However, Izuchukwu has singled out Gernot Rohr as one of the performers, who coincidentally beat the Eagles with Benin Republic this month.
“Rohr had a good stint as the manager of the Super Eagles,” he says.
“And I can tell you with certainty that if he was still our coach, we would be in pole position to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
“He didn’t play the most beautiful football, but then again, when you look at African football, it’s as raw. But still very exciting because the passion is through the roof.”
Numerous domestic and foreign coaches have been linked to the position since the announcement of Finidi’s resignation.
Unexpectedly, Emmanuel Amunike is Izuchukwu’s first pick.
He said: “At this point, their safest option would be Amunike.
“Majority of the general public seem to think he’s the best man for the job if you’re looking locally.
“Now that Finidi has fallen short of expectation and resigned, we might as well give it to Amunike since we don’t have the means to look outside our borders.”
What about Samson Siasia, whose FIFA’s ban ends in August?
“I don’t want that man anywhere near the national team,” Izuchukwu states as a matter of fact.
“Isn’t he the reason we didn’t qualify for the last World Cup?”
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