‘Finidi’s appointment opportunity to end foreign coach’s dominance in Super Eagles’

Finidi George

Stakeholders in Nigerian football have called on coaches and other officials in the system to rally round new Super Eagles’ Coach, Finidi George, as he tries to qualify the country for the 2026 World Cup.

The stakeholders, who said Finidi’s appointment goes beyond just being Super Eagles manager, said his success on the job would prove that given the opportunity, the country’s coaches could lead the team to higher achievements than any foreigner had ever attained.

Head Coach at Dedon FC, an amateur clubside, Chika Obasi, described Finidi’s appointment as the best thing to happen to Nigerian football in recent times, adding that although the job is tough and harder than anything the former Ajax midfielder has ever experienced, the Enyimba coach would succeed if given adequate support.

Finidi knows all the players already in the team, he works in the local league, which makes it easier for him to know the players that would fortify the team, but his success depends on his philosophy, his leadership ability and the support he gets from the NFF and other stakeholders.

“Finidi has amazing records, both as a player and as Enyimba coach, so, he is in a familiar terrain,” Obasi said. Obasi noted that the NFF did the right thing in choosing Finidi because he is already in the system, adding, however, that he should be given time to build his team.

On the recent international friendlies against Ghana and Mali, Obasi said criticisingFinidi for losing to Mali is unfair considering that he had to use different players in the two matches and the short time he had to train with them.

Head Coach of Synergy FC, another amateur side, Samuel Praise, said the NFF did the right by appointing Finidi, adding that it doused the tension