Former Nigerian winger Finidi George has been appointed as the head coach of the national team, the Super Eagles, officials announced on Monday.

The 53-year-old, who previously served as an assistant coach, steps into the role following the departure of former coach Jose Peseiro, whose contract was not renewed despite leading Nigeria to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, where they were defeated by the hosts, Ivory Coast.

George, who had a stint as interim coach for two friendlies in March, securing a victory over Ghana and suffering a defeat against Mali, now assumes the position on a permanent basis. His immediate focus will be on revitalizing Nigeria's 2026 World Cup qualification campaign after unexpected draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

With upcoming matches against South Africa and Benin, George aims to leverage his experience as a player, including winning the 1995 Champions League with Ajax Amsterdam and representing Nigeria at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, to guide the team towards success.