Finidi George: Super Eagles Coach Explains the Reason Why Nigeria Lost Friendly Clash Against Mali

• The Super Eagles of Nigeria locked horns with Mali in an international friendly
• The clash saw Nigeria pummelled by their West African counterparts two-nil
• Coach Finidi George has explained the reason his side lost out in the match

The Super Eagles of Nigeria ended their run of friendly games with a defeat against Mali.

In what was anticipated as a classic 'David vs Goliath' encounter, the Nigerian team faced a formidable challenge from Les Aigles and ultimately succumbed to a two-nil loss.

Goals from forward, El Bilal Toure, and Brest star, Kamory Doumbia, ensured the Super Eagles were dealt their first loss since the departure of former coach, Jose Peseiro.

In the aftermath of the game, interim coach, Finidi George, has provided insight into the team's performance and shed light on the factors contributing to their loss against Mali.

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Finidi explains reason for Nigeria's defeat

Addressing the media after the game, as documented by Nigeria football expert, Tobi Adepoju, the 52-year-old interim coach delved into the factors contributing to his team's defeat.

"This is a team that possesses the ball very well, but the absence of our injured strikers forced us to adopt a wider approach. Despite our aggressive play, we were unable to capitalise. As we know, football ultimately revolves around winning."

Reflecting on his team's overall performance across both fixtures, coach Finidi expressed satisfaction, stating,

"Winning one match and losing another, yet not being outplayed in either, brings me pride as the coach of the Super Eagles. While I would have preferred a different outcome in this match, the players' performances are commendable."

The former Real Betis winger’s comments appear as a means of alleviating concerns within Nigerian football circles following the team's lacklustre displays.

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It should be noted that he remains a candidate for the permanent head coach position of the national team.

The decision on whether the 52-year-old will lead the team from the dugout in their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualification series against South Africa rests on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical committee.

Why Nigeria lost against Mali

In another report, Sports Brief also highlighted the reasons behind Nigeria's loss to Mali in their friendly match.

Coach Finidi's team delivered a lacklustre performance, ultimately paying a heavy price for their subpar display.