13 facts about new Super Eagles coach, Finidi George

On Monday, 29th April 2024, the Nigeria Football Federation revealed that Finidi George, a former Super Eagles winger, has been appointed as the new head coach of the country’s senior men’s national team.

A statement was released announcing that the NFF Board had approved the Technical and Development Committee’s suggestion to appoint the 52-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam and Real Betis forward as the new leader.

Within the upcoming five weeks, the newly appointed leader of the Super Eagles will have the immediate responsibility of steering the team to success in two vital 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying games against South Africa and the Benin Republic, scheduled to take place in Uyo and Abidjan.

However, NIGERIA NEWS 247 takes a look at 10 things to know about Finidi George.

1.⁠ ⁠Finidi George was born on April 15, 1971, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

2.⁠ ⁠⁠He played as a right winger and was known for his pace, accurate crosses, efficient dribbling, and free-kick abilities. He played for three clubs in Nigeria including Calabar Rovers and Sharks of Port Harcourt.

3. He made a scoring debut for Nigeria in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Burkina Faso at the National Stadium, Lagos on 27th July 1991.

4.⁠ ⁠⁠George had a successful club career with Ajax, winning 8 major titles including the 1995 Champions League.

5.⁠ ⁠⁠He also played for Real Betis in Spain, nearly joining Real Madrid before that move fell through.

6.⁠ ⁠⁠George spent one season with Mallorca and then joined Ipswich Town in the Premier League for £3.1 million in 2002.

7.⁠ ⁠⁠He made his international debut for Nigeria in 1991 and earned 62 caps, appearing at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.

8. He assisted Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) to score Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal against Bulgaria in Dallas, USA on 19th June 1994.

9.⁠ ⁠⁠George won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria. He put Nigeria ahead against hosts Algeria in a crucial qualifier in Algiers on 8th October 1993. The match eventually ended 1-1 and earned Nigeria a ticket to the finals in America.

10. He scored the goal that took Nigeria to 1994 FIFA World Cup where the country made her debut. He helped them reach the round of 16 at the 1994 World Cup.

11.⁠ ⁠⁠At the 1994 World Cup, he scored against Greece and celebrated with a famous ‘urinating dog’ celebration.

12.⁠ ⁠⁠He has 11 brothers, two of whom (Igeniwari and Celestine) were also professional footballers.

13.⁠ ⁠⁠In September 2021, George was appointed head coach of Nigerian club Enyimba F.C. and won the Nigeria Premier League with them in June 2023.