When Finidi George Weighed In on Debate About Nigeria Diaspora Players

• Most of Nigeria's team is made up of players born abroad
• Finidi George's remarks about the topic have resurfaced
• George was appointed a week ago as Super Eagles coach

Over the years, the Super Eagles have called up diaspora-born players to the national team.

As we saw during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, those players have become vital in the team.

New Nigeria coach, Finidi George, recently said the country needs to drastically improve the state of the sport in the country to attract more foreign-born Nigerian players.

Ademola Lookman and William Troost-Ekong, Nigeria's heroes during the 2023 AFCON, grew up in London, UK, per The Athletic.

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The likes of Jamal Musiala, Bukayo Saka, Tammy Abraham, and Karim Adeyemi were all eligible to play for Nigeria but chose other countries instead.

A few years ago, Finidi felt they didn't have to ask these players to play for Nigeria. He thinks they have to make them suit up for them voluntarily, per Vanguard.

Now we are running after players that were born in Europe to come back and play for Nigeria. Who will train them for you? You want others to train players and you wait to convert them to change their nationality so they can come and play for Nigeria? Why don’t you train your own here in Nigeria?

All we need do is to work on our home bred players, maybe when you find one or two good ones from outside there they can come and join the team. If you train your team very well, it is those who are born in Europe that will run to identify with the Super Eagles. Put your house in order, and they would, on their own, come."

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Finidi was appointed just over a week ago and has been tasked with taking Nigeria to the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Finidi on Nigeria's 2026 World Cup chances

Sports Brief earlier reported on Finidi expressing his confidence in leading Nigeria to the 2026 World Cup.

He urged fans to support the team as they embark on the journey. The Super Eagles last played at a World Cup in 2018.

What style will Finidi use?

Sports Brief also reported on Finidi giving a snippet of the tactics he expects to employ in his tenure as Super Eagles boss.

The 53-year-old said he prefers to dominate the ball but would be pragmatic in situations where they need to be.