Former Nigeria international Godfrey Oboabona has asserted that Finidi George’s legacy as a prominent figure in Nigerian football remains intact, despite his abrupt resignation as Super Eagles coach.
Finidi George, a 53-year-old former Ajax star and 1994 AFCON winner, took over from Jose Peseiro as the head coach of the Super Eagles in April. However, less than two months into his tenure, he unexpectedly resigned. Reports suggest that his departure was linked to the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) plans to appoint an expatriate Technical Adviser in a bid to enhance Nigeria’s prospects of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Amidst the criticism and shock surrounding George’s sudden exit, Oboabona, a former Rizespor player, remains firm in his belief that George’s contributions to Nigerian football are undiminished.
“It is unfortunate that things turned out poorly for coach Finidi George, leading to his abrupt resignation,” Oboabona remarked. “However, one thing is certain—his legacy with the Super Eagles remains untarnished. He is a significant legend in African football, and I wanted him to succeed. But that’s the nature of football—very unpredictable.”
Oboabona also emphasized that it would be unfair to blame George entirely for the team’s current standing. “Remember, before he took the job, we had only earned two points from two matches. The situation was already challenging when he stepped in,” he added.
