The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has congratulated fellow Rivers indigene and former international winger, Finidi George, on his appointment as the new Head Coach of the Nigerian national football team, Super Eagles.
On Monday, the Nigeria Football Federation appointed Finidi as the new head coach of the nation’s senior men’s national team.
In a congratulatory message from the chief press secretary to the governor, Nelson Chukwudi, on Tuesday, Fubara hailed George’s appointment by the NFF.
“The approval by the Board of NFF to appoint George, following the recommendations of its Technical and Development Committee, is a testament of his hard work, commitment, perseverance and patriotism over the years,” Fubara stated.
The Governor highlighted George’s stellar performances at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals, as well as his contributions to the Super Eagles’ gold, silver and bronze medal wins at the 1992, 1994, 2000 and 2002 AFCON tournaments.
Expressing confidence in the 52-year-old’s ability to lead the national team to success, Fubara said, “George’s years of experience as a national and international footballer, particularly his mesmerising displays in Calabar Rovers, Sharks FC in Nigeria; and Ajax Amsterdam and Real Betis, among others in Europe, and as a coach will come handy in his new job.”
Fubara noted George’s recent 20-month stint as an assistant coach to Jose Peseiro, during which the Super Eagles won silver at the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, as a testament to his coaching prowess.
“I expressed confidence that the 52-year old George, who won 62 caps for Nigeria, and coached many teams to victory, including his record during the 20-month stint as assistant to Jose Peseiro before the Portuguese voluntarily resigned his post after guiding Super Eagles to silver medal at the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, would bring his wealth of experience to bear in leading the senior national team to laurels in the coming months and years,” the governor stated.
Urging George to be a good ambassador for Rivers State, Fubara wished him a successful coaching career and prayed for God’s wisdom and strength upon him in discharging his new duties effectively.