The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has mandated Finidi George to make sure the Super Eagles earn a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Super Eagles are currently third in their group after two draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
The two-time African champions will host the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Friday, June 7, before facing the Squirrels of Benin a few days later.
“In the month of June, Nigeria will play the games of their lives against South Africa and Benin,” Ikpeba, a member of the NFF technical committee told SuperSport.
“We are on the back foot after we drew our first two World Cup qualifiers and so we have to win the next games.
“We have the players and if Finidi can get the best out of them, we will qualify for the World Cup.”
Ikpeba also said the new coach will also be expected to give players playing their football in Nigeria a more decent chance in the Super Eagles.
“He lives here, he works here (as coach of NPFL champions Enyimba),” he said.
“He will give the local players a chance in his team.
“He will have to look inwards, that’s how we got the player Finidi George.”