Most recently, Ahmed Musa was appointed as General Manager of Kano Pillars and all hopes are high for the veteran Super Eagles striker to turn around the situation at the Sai Masu Gida, given his experience as a player in the local league and also playing outside the shores of Nigeria.
The hopes of many may be dimmed if things do not go as expected. It is still early to make predictions or permutations on how his leadership at Kano Pillars will go, but in this feature story, we take a look at other former Super Eagles players who have held administrative roles, from Coaches to board positions, within the Nigeria Premier Football League and how they have fared at the Clubs they head.
Finidi George at Enyimba, the Super Eagles and now Rivers
Finidi George, a right winger for the Super Eagles known in most households in Nigeria from the 90s, was a part of the famous Nigerian Golden Era side that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations. Pacy with precise crossing ability, he is considered a legend of Nigerian football.
He rose to prominence with Ajax Amsterdam, where he won multiple Eredivisie titles and was part of the historic team that lifted the 1994–95 UEFA Champions League.
He went on to play for Real Betis in Spain and earned over 60 caps for the Super Eagles, while representing Nigeria at two FIFA World Cups (1994 and 1998).
But as a Coach, he has had fair success. In September 2021, Enyimba announced Finidi George’s appointment as head Coach, which birthed a new chapter in his post-playing career.
He stepped into the dugout with a wealth of experience from his playing days in Europe and his UEFA coaching badges. Enyimba, Nigeria’s most successful Club, was in need of a rebuild, and Finidi was trusted to restore that pride to the team.
His first season in charge (2021–22) was filled with challenges. Enyimba struggled with inconsistency, finishing mid-table and failing to secure a continental place. Rather than buckle under the pressure, Finidi used the season to build a team with structure, discipline, and identity.
He brought on experienced players to his squad, gradually shaping a team capable of competing at the top. The 2022–23 season was where his vision truly came to life.
Under Finidi’s guidance, Enyimba were crowned Nigeria Premier Football League champions for a record-extending ninth time. Striker Chukwuemeka Obioma thrived under him, finishing as the league’s top scorer. The title win re-established Enyimba as a top team in Nigerian football.
Beyond domestic success, Finidi led Enyimba into continental campaigns in the CAF Confederation Cup and the inaugural African Football League.
While the team did not make deep runs in those competitions, the experience helped build the profile of his young squad. Finidi was intentional about giving young talents like Daniel Daga opportunities to gain exposure, even when the results were tough.
His achievements at Enyimba did not go unnoticed. In early 2024, Finidi was appointed as the head coach of the Super Eagles on an interim basis after the departure of José Peseiro.
He led Nigeria through a handful of friendly matches and World Cup qualifying games. However, the team’s performances were mixed, with concerns over tactics and intensity. Nigeria’s loss to Benin Republic in a World Cup qualifier in June 2024 put pressure on his tenure. Despite early support, public and media criticism grew, especially around player selections and the team’s attacking style.
Ultimately, Finidi’s time with the national team was short-lived. After less than six months in charge, he was replaced by a foreign Coach, with the NFF, citing the need for experience at the international level. Nevertheless, his stint was a fresh look, as he became the first Nigerian Coach since 2015 to take charge of the Super Eagles not on an interim basis.
Shortly after leaving the Super Eagles, Finidi returned to the NPFL. In July 2024, he was announced as the new head Coach of Rivers United FC, another top Nigerian Club with continental ambitions.
Rivers United, having underperformed the previous season, were eager to tap into Finidi’s experience, discipline, and ability to build title-winning teams. His appointment brought renewed optimism to the club’s supporters, who hoped his success at Enyimba could be replicated in Port Harcourt.
At Rivers United last season, he achieved a continental place finish after the Pride of Rivers finished second, securing qualification for the CAF Champions League.
So far, he has had mixed success, winning the league with Enyimba and qualifying Rivers United to play on the continent. However, as coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, he performed poorly and that may deter the chances of Nigeria playing at the FIFA 2026 World Cup to be hosted by the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada.
Kanu Nwankwo as Chairmn of Enyimba
Even kids who did not watch him play heard of his folklore from elders around. Kanu Nwankwo, a player whose name speaks for itself, was a proper dribbler in his playing days.
The forward stood tall at 6’6″, with his deceptive agility and intelligence, he was uniquely gifted. He achieved global fame with Ajax, winning the UEFA Champions League in 1995, and went on to play for top European clubs including Inter Milan and Arsenal, where he became a fan favorite and Premier League icon. For his country, Kanu captained Nigeria to Olympic gold at Atlanta 1996 and was twice named African Footballer of the Year (1996, 1999). With over 80 caps for the Super Eagles, he is celebrated as one of the most decorated and influential African footballers of all time.
After retiring from football, Kanu remained in football circles, often appearing at FIFA events and engaging in grassroots initiatives. His post-playing influence began with ambassadorial roles, including serving as a FIFA Ambassador for Football and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ambassador.
In July 2023, the Abia State Government announced him as Chairman of Enyimba International FC, Nigeria’s most decorated football club. Kanu quickly set to work on restructuring the club’s administrative and technical departments. He prioritized players’ welfare, improved communication channels within the team, and began working to attract sponsorship deals and investment to modernize the club’s operations. Immediate results were seen with new sponsorship deals from both local and international brands. In fact, there was restructuring of the club’s media channel.
There is however room for concern for Kanu. Before taking up the position, Enyimba had just won a record-ninth NPFL trophy but since he took over, nothing much can be said about the team. Enyimba, who pride themselves as winners, are yet to win anything since his appointment.
Emmanuel Amuneke as coach of Heartland
A household name in Nigeria, Emmanuel Amuneke is a vital member of the Nigerian Golden Generation, an important part of the Super Eagles side that triumphed at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring in the final against Zambia. He also featured at the 1994 FIFA World Cup and famously netted the winning goal in Nigeria’s historic 3-2 victory over Argentina in the gold medal match at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
As a player, Amuneke was an explosive winger known for his pace, dribbling, and eye for goal. He rose to prominence with Zamalek SC in Egypt before making a move to Europe, where he starred for Sporting CP in Portugal and later for FC Barcelona in Spain. His career was unfortunately hampered by recurring injuries, which forced an early retirement.
Administratively, his appointment as Head Coach of Heartland FC came in August 2024 following an announcement by the Imo State Government. As a coach, he is respected and will be remembered for guiding the Golden Eaglets to FIFA U-17 World Cup glory and previously managing the Tanzanian national team, qualifying them for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019.
At the Owerri-based club, Amuneke was tasked with turning around a struggling side in the NPFL. However, his tenure was marred by persistent challenges that ultimately undermined his efforts. The team struggled to find consistency in both home and away matches, with poor form, injuries, and off-field instability compounding their problems. Heartland were entrenched in the relegation zone for much of the 2024–25 campaign.
By the end of the season, Heartland’s relegation from the Nigeria Premier Football League was confirmed, a bitter blow for Amuneke. He has had good success with the Golden Eaglets and also as coach of Tanzania, but his worst stint came under Heartland, where he relegated the side.
Although there are rumours that Heartland are looking to return to the NPFL by buying a slot, which is legally allowed under the statutes of the NPFL, this is yet to be confirmed.
For Ahmed Musa, he must take lessons from other Super Eagles players currently within the NPFL fray. While they have done well as players, football administration in Nigeria is quite different with its uniqueness. He must learn from the successes and mistakes of others to achieve success at the Sai Masu Gida.
