Former Nigeria International Backs Finidi George to Bring Success to Super Eagles

Former Nigeria International Backs Finidi George to Bring Success to Super Eagles

Edwin Kiplagat
May 20, 2024 at 7:05 PM
In this article:
Nigeria logo
Nigeria
Nigeria
21
  • Nigeria legend, Finidi George, was recently appointed as Super Eagles coach by the NFF
  • The 53-year-old will lead the Super Eagles against South Africa and Benin next month
  • A former Nigerian international believes the new coach has what it takes to succeed

PAY ATTENTION: Checkout Fixtures; Live Scores; Results and Tables section on Sports Brief and never miss out on the action ⚽️

Former Nigeria international, Oladimeji Lawal, believes new Finidi George will live up to expectations as coach of the Super Eagles.

After his appointment by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) last month, the 53-year-old was officially unveiled recently.

Victor Osimhen, Finidi George, Nigeria, AFCON, South Africa, Benin
Victor Osimhen will play a major role in Finidi George's Nigeria. Photos by Visionhaus and Nigeria Football Federation (Instagram).
Source: Getty Images

Finidi will lead the Super Eagles against South Africa and Benin in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month.

The former Ajax and Real Betis star will be under pressure to deliver positive results in the two matches. The outcome of the two games will likely shape the rest of his tenure as boss.

However, Lawal is confident Finidi will deliver on the tasks handed to him per Complete Sports:

"I sincerely think Finidi won’t disappoint Nigerians, knowing fully the task at hand."

Lawal highlighted Finidi's spell as an assistant coach under former Nigeria coach, Jose Peseiro, who was at the helm for 22 months.

"Having been with Peseiro for 20 months, I want to believe he would have learned a few things and, with his own additional knowledge, be ready for the task at hand. He knows the players and will definitely deliver the job regardless of the pressure."

Finidi and Peseiro took Nigeria to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where they fell short against the hosts, Ivory Coast.

Olofinjana's issue with Finidi's appointment

Sports Brief previously reported on former Super Eagles international, Seyi Olofinjana, raising a few questions about the NFF's deal with Finidi George.

The former Premier League star was unconvinced about the trust in the new coach and believes the federation should have handed him a longer contract.

Agu's advice to Finidi

Sports Brief also reported on former Nigeria international, Alloy Agu, weighing in on Finidi's appointment as coach of the Super Eagles.

The keeper urged the 1994 AFCON winner to retain most players to help him in the transition period and also give a sense of continuity.

Authors
Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.