Super Eagles Head Coach Finidi George Urged to Look Inward for Assistant Coaches

• Finidi George is under pressure to choose Super Eagles assistant coaches
• Ex-U23 coach, Abubakar Bala, has advised him to prioritize local coaches
• Finidi is set to lead Nigeria in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign

Right after being appointed head coach of Nigeria's Super Eagles, Finidi George is at a crossroads regarding his choice of coaching staff.

Former national U-23 assistant coach Abubakar Bala has voiced his opinion, urging him to consider local coaches over foreign assistants.

Bala's sentiments echo a broader conversation within the Nigerian football community about the importance of supporting local talent.

Finidi's short tenure as Super Eagles boss has been marked by speculation surrounding his selection of assistant coaches.

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While the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) initially sought to pair him with either Emmanuel Amunike or Daniel Amokachi, he reportedly expressed a preference for selecting his own assistants, potentially including a foreign coach.

However, Bala and others argue that Finidi should prioritize local expertise, citing indigenous coaches' invaluable knowledge of the Nigerian football landscape

“It is not a bad idea, but he should also be careful. He has been given an opportunity as an indigenous coach, so he should look inwards and give other local coaches opportunities, too," he said, as quoted by Daily Trust.

As Finidi prepares for his first official assignment against South Africa, attention shifts to the composition of his provisional squad.

Reports suggest that he has submitted a list of 35 players to the NFF, with a subsequent reduction to 25 players expected. As per Own Goal Nigeria, the squad is anticipated to feature players who played in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

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NFF against Finidi’s foreign assistants

Sports Brief reported that some NFF officials were disappointed with Finidi’s stance on appointing foreigners in his backroom staff as Super Eagles coach.

A member of the technical committee, who preferred to remain nameless, expressed dissatisfaction with the manager's selection of his assistants.

The committee member stressed that he wanted the 53-year-old to base his team's core on indigenous coaches rather than international managers.