When Nigerian football legend Finidi George was appointed Super Eagles head coach in April, the sentiment among local stakeholders was mostly positive because it signalled a renewed trust by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in homegrown products. For many Nigerians, the last time they experienced the highs of the senior men’s national team was back in 2013, when the late Stephen Keshi defied the odds and led the country to an AFCON triumph in South Africa. So, the decision to trust another local coach — one that had been an assistant coach with the team for over 12 months — looked promising.

Adding to this optimism was Côte d’Ivoire’s recent decision to appoint their legend, Emerse Faé, who took over midway through the AFCON 2023 and ultimately led the team to a 2-1 final victory over Nigeria. This created a sense of anticipation that George, the 14th local Super Eagles coach, could replicate a similar feat under less pressure. However, the hope vanished within weeks when George resigned in June after overseeing a draw and a loss, further jeopardising Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The reasons and timing surrounding the 53-year-old’s exit remain a topic of debate among fans and pundits, but the former Real Betis winger has moved on — some would argue to a more fitting role. He now coaches Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Rivers United, making him the first of the USA ’94 stars to grace the touchline for the 2024/25 NPFL season.

After George’s appointment in June, Emmanuel Amuneke took the reins at Heartland FC ahead of the new season, and more recently, Daniel Amokachi was named manager of Lobi Stars after  Matchday 5.

NPFL25: Contrasting Fortunes of Eagles Legends and Stakes Ahead

Six matches into the NPFL season, George’s Rivers United sits second on the table, and unbeaten with four wins and two draws. In contrast, Amuneke’s Heartland are struggling, having managed just one win and two draws in six games. Amokachi, who was appointed on October 6, led Lobi to a 1-1 draw against Naija Tornadoes during his first match in charge of the club on Sunday, October 14. The draw did little to better the Ortom Boys’ lot, as they also sit in the relegation zone — like Heartland — with one win, two draws, and three losses.

However, despite George’s failure with the national team, he has certainly hit the ground running with Rivers. And considering his league triumph with Enyimba in the 2022/23 season, the 52-year-old is better placed than his colleagues to have a convincing season, although the NPFL is still in its early days.

Fingers are crossed to see how George, Amuneke, and Amokachi will prove their worth this NPFL season. However, with doubts lingering about the calibre of local coaches, their performances could either enhance or further dampen perceptions of homegrown talent—and, by extension, impact their chances at bigger opportunities with the national teams.