Finidi Sends Warning to Super Eagles Stars, Set Rules for National Team Invite

• Finidi George has strict criteria for inviting players to the Super Eagles
• The newly appointed coach has sounded a warning to the current players
• Finidi has been charged with qualifying Nigeria for the 2026 World Cup

Finidi George has declared that players who lack playing time in their respective clubs will not be invited to the Super Eagles under his spell as head coach of the national team.

The former Real Betis winger wasted no time in laying down the law for the Super Eagles players following his confirmation and unveiling by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday, May 13.

According to Pulse Sports, Finidi stated that every player called up to represent Nigeria during his tenure will have to show full commitment, beginning with regular game time for their respective clubs.

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"Nigeria comes first and you have to play regularly in your club and must have commitment." Finidi disclosed during his first press conference as Super Eagles coach.

Finidi has been offered a two-year contract by the NFF and has been charged by the federation to see Nigeria qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Finidi denies rift with players

Meanwhile, Finidi has affirmed he has a cordial relationship with the Super Eagles players and has downplayed rumours of any rift with some stars during his time in charge as temporary coach, Complete Sports reports.

Ademola Lookman and Sadiq Umar were alleged to have had a falling out with the newly appointed Super Eagles gaffer during the international friendly games against Ghana and Mali in March.

Finidi however denies the rift, assuring he has a professional relationship with the national team players.

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Finidi invites Ekong and Boniface

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Finidi has extended national team invites to William Troost-Ekong and Victor Boniface ahead of June’s World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin.

Both players have not featured for the Super Eagles in several months due to varying degrees of injuries but will reportedly be back wearing the country’s colours in June.

Nigeria will host South Africa in Uyo on June 7 before travelling to Ivory Coast to take on Benin Republic a few days later.