The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced plans to employ an expatriate technical adviser for the Super Eagles in the coming weeks. This decision, aimed at bolstering the team’s performance ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers and remaining FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, was revealed in a communiqué issued following the Federation’s executive committee hybrid meeting on Thursday.
The NFF also expressed dissatisfaction with some players’ attitudes towards national assignments and emphasised the need for a more comprehensive scouting programme to identify Nigeria-eligible players worldwide who can significantly contribute to the team’s success. “The Board expressed displeasure with the poor attitude of some of the players towards the National Assignment and unanimously decided in favour of a more robust scouting programme,” the communiqué stated.
In response to the Super Eagles’ poor start in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the NFF issued an apology to Nigerians and pledged to strengthen its technical department. “The Executive Committee wholeheartedly apologised to Nigerians for the dismal output and subsequent very poor returns of the Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles, in four out of 10 matches in the ongoing qualification series for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals,” the NFF said, adding that the Technical and Development Sub-Committee would be restructured immediately.
The Super Eagles, under head coach Finidi George, have faced heavy criticism following a 1-1 draw with South Africa in Uyo and a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic, leaving the team with just three points out of a potential 12. NFF President Ibrahim Gusau affirmed the Federation’s commitment to ensuring the Super Eagles’ qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. “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,” Gusau said.
Following a closed-door meeting with Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, Gusau expressed optimism about Nigeria’s prospects in the qualification campaign. “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,” he stated.
The NFF President assured that significant steps would soon be taken to overhaul the system and get the Super Eagles back on track. “We are looking holistically at the general affairs of the team. And as I said, very soon, Nigerians will see the measures we are going to take,” he said, emphasising the Federation’s commitment to providing the necessary support to head coach Finidi George.
The meeting, attended by top NFF officials, including first Vice-President Felix Anyansi-Agwu, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen, Coach Finidi George, and Head of International Competitions Dayo Enebi, concluded with a unified pledge to improve the Super Eagles’ performance and secure their place in the next World Cup.
