Finidi George’s resignation as Super Eagles coach last week has left a void that must be filled by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) before Nigeria’s next international games.
The ex-Ajax star stepped down from his role as national head coach after back-to-back disappointing results in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin.
According to the Vanguard, Finidi quit his post after the NFF had decided to appoint a foreign technical adviser for him after only two competitive games in charge as head coach.
The NFF executive committee has finally accepted the resignation of the 53-year-old ex-Real Betis midfielder and will now commence the search for a new Super Eagles manager.
Sports Brief, alongside Soccernet, takes a look at the top three candidates that should be considered to take over from Finidi as Nigeria’s new technical adviser.
Top 3 candidates for Super Eagles job
1. Antonio Conceicao
Antonio Conceicao will bring a wealth of experience to the Super Eagles coaching position.
His time with CFR Cluj in Romania, as well as coaching spells in Cyprus and Saudi Arabia, have given him a reputation for tactical expertise and player development.
JUST IN : Portuguese coach, António Conceição da Silva Oliveira is in ‘pole position’ to land the Super Eagles Technical Adviser job.
— Ojora Babatunde (@ojbsports) June 13, 2024
The 62yrs old gaffer led Cameroon to finish third at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.
Good choice ? pic.twitter.com/lR8HttZzFk
Despite a great career with the Cameroonian national team, Conceicao’s dismissal in 2022 has left him eager to return to coaching, making him a strong candidate for the Super Eagles coaching position.
2. Samson Siasia
Samson Siasia has a remarkable coaching career, especially with youth teams.
The former Super Eagles forward led Nigeria's Under-20 and Under-23 teams to podium finishes in a variety of international competitions, including the Olympic Games.
Samson Siasia vows to be back and stronger, following FIFA Ban set to expire in August pic.twitter.com/fJqldchnut
— Naija (@Naija_PR) January 12, 2024
Despite a FIFA ban for match-fixing, Siasia's upcoming return to coaching has positioned him as a viable contender for the vacant Super Eagles position, bringing with him a track record of success and a desire to show himself once more on the international scene.
3. Salisu Yusuf
Salisu Yusuf's coaching career is filled with successes and controversies, from winning league titles with the Kano Pillars to facing scrutiny over a financial gift scandal.
🇳🇬 📝 NFF officially confirms Salisu Yusuf as the new home based Super Eagles Head Coach, to be assisted by Kennedy Boboye, Fidelis Ikechukwu, Fatai Osho and Abubakar Bala Mohamed
— Football Fans Tribe 🇳🇬 ⚽ (@FansTribeHQ) April 14, 2022
This love story between him and the NFF continues 😶 pic.twitter.com/4uTUrZeuLf
Despite the setback, his experience as assistant coach of the Super Eagles and head coach of the Super Eagles B Team demonstrates his knowledge of Nigerian football and player development.
His reinstatement by the NFF has demonstrated their belief in his talents, making him a legitimate option to lead the Super Eagles forward.
