Nigeria name Finidi George as manager

Nigeria has appointed former winger Finidi George as head coach, officials announced on Monday, promoting the 53-year-old from assistant.

George worked under former coach Jose Peseiro and took over after the latter's contract was not renewed, despite leading Nigeria to the final of this year's Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where they were defeated by the hosts.

George served as interim coach for two friendlies in March, winning 2-1 over Ghana and losing 2-0 to Mali, and now holds the position permanently.

His immediate task will be to revive Nigeria's 2026 World Cup qualification campaign after unexpected 1-1 draws at home with tiny Lesotho and Zimbabwe in neutral Rwanda.

They will face South Africa in Uyo and Benin in neutral Ivory Coast in early June.

George, who won the 1995 Champions League with Ajax Amsterdam, was a member of Nigeria's Golden Generation, which won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and played in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups. He won 62 caps and scored six goals.

SportsLigue