Remo Stars’ Ogunmodede blasts NFF over Finidi George’s treatment

Daniel Ogunmodede, the head coach of Remo Stars, has slammed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for failing to support Finidi George during his brief tenure as Super Eagles manager.

George resigned as Nigeria’s coach barely 30 days into the role after the NFF decided to appoint a foreign technical adviser to oversee his operations.

“It’s an affront to the dignity of local coaches. Finidi George was a thing of joy for us,” Ogunmodede said on the 54Footballx Match-up Podcast.

George was appointed as the Super Eagles manager on April 29. Having signed a two-year contract, the Eagles legend was given a couple of targets, but Nigeria’s qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup took precedence at the time.

As it turned out, George faltered, overseeing a draw against South Africa and a loss to Benin Republic in June qualifiers. The loss to Benin was Nigeria’s first-ever defeat to the Squirrels, and it was managed by former head coach Genort Rohr.

The setbacks culminated in Nigeria’s World Cup hopes hanging by a thread. The three-time African champions sit fifth in a group of six nations, having drawn their first two qualifiers under Peseiro.

The NFF carried George along in the pursuit of a technical adviser in a bid to salvage the situation. However, the 53-year-old resigned before the decision materialised, and has since been appointed as Rivers United’s coach.

“We wanted the best for him, but look at the way he (Finidi) was ‘jet’ out,” Ogunmodede added.

“There was not enough support. If you want a coach to do well, give him better support. If any job is coming from the National team to any of the local coaches, there must be total support for the coach to excel.”