‘Finidi Must Succeed’: Rangers Gaffer Fidelis Ilechukwu Backs Super Eagles Coach

• Fidelis Ilechukwu is backing Finidi George to succeed as Super Eagles coach
• Finidi was confirmed as the Super Eagles permanent coach on April 29
• The ex-Ajax star currently serves as coach of NPFL champions Enyimba

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) coaches are backing Finidi George to succeed after his confirmation by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as the Super Eagles coach.

The ex-Ajax midfielder only took his first coaching job in 2021 when he took charge of Enyimba football club and led them to the Nigerian league title in his first season.

According to Soccernet, the NFF has entrusted Finidi with the task of navigating the Super Eagles through the challenging 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers.

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The three-time African champions have had a slow start in the qualifiers, lying third behind Rwanda and South Africa in Group C after garnering only two points from their first two games.

Finidi, who served as assistant to Jose Peseiro for 20 months, has been mandated to seal qualification for the 2026 World Cup after Nigeria missed out on the 2022 edition after losing the ticket to Ghana.

Fidelis backs Finidi to succeed

Meanwhile, Rangers International coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, is rooting for Finidi to succeed as coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles which he claims will be a good thing for NPFL coaches.

Ilechukwu claims the success or failure of the 53-year-old will reflect on the local coaches and has asked his colleagues in the NPFL to support the former Real Betis winger in his quest as Super Eagles coach.

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Finidi’s first task as coach is to open a camp for local players in the NPFL and integrate them into the Super Eagles ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and the Benin Republic in June.

Why the NFF appointed Finidi

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that sports correspondent, Fisayo Dairo, believes Finidi's appointment as Super Eagles manager is not just about continuity.

The renowned Nigerian journalist drew comparisons with Emerse Fae of Ivory Coast as he claims the former Ajax winger is a silent achiever following his exploits with Enyimba in the NPFL.

Finidi George is poised to select a foreign assistant after being granted the permanent coaching position for the Super Eagles by the NFF.