Super Eagles Star Backs Finidi to Continue As Nigeria Coach Despite Mali Defeat

• Kenneth Omeruo wants Finidi George to continue as Super Eagles coach
• Finidi was offered the coaching job temporarily for Nigeria’s friendly games
• The Nigeria Football Federation is seeking a new coach for the Super Eagles

Kenneth Omeruo is backing Finidi George to continue in his role as Super Eagles coach despite suffering his first loss following Nigeria’s 2-0 defeat to Mali on Friday.

The former Nigeria international has received heavy backlash from fans with some asking for the Nigeria Football Federation to look for a new coach following Nigeria’s defeat to the Eagles of Mali.

According to the Daily Post, Omeruo claims Finidi has the respect of all the players in the national team and he also has the experience to lead the Super Eagles going forward.

“I think he is a good coach and has a good relationship with the players. He’s someone we know, we respect. He has the experience to lead us and he has managed the team very well.”

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Finidi, who had served as Nigeria’s assistant coach to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, was offered the Super Eagles job by the NFF on an interim basis after Jose Peseiro left the role when his contract expired in February.

Finidi commends Super Eagles' performance

Meanwhile, Finidi has described the Super Eagles’ performance in the 2-0 defeat to Mali as commendable despite suffering his first loss as coach of the national team, Complete Sports reports.

Goals from El Bilal Toure and Kamory Doumbia condemned Nigeria to their first defeat against Mali since 1975 but the former Real Betis winger was undeterred by the result.

Finidi would hope the performances of the Super Eagles in both friendly games against Ghana and Mali would have done enough to convince the NFF’s hierarchy to offer him the coaching role permanently.

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Andry fans want Finidi sacked

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that some angry Nigerians have beckoned on the NFF not to offer Finidi the vacant Super Eagles job permanently after Nigeria’s 2-0 loss to Mali.

After leading the three-time AFCON champions to a 2-1 win over Ghana four days earlier, Finidi could do nothing as his team fell apart against the Eagles of Mali.

Finidi is among the coaches being considered for the Super Eagles job but his performances against Mali might just have put a dent in his position to emerge as the team’s permanent coach.