“No Sentiment”: Finidi Warns NPFL Players on Markers To Play for Super Eagles

• Finidi George is open to inviting local players to the Super Eagles team
• The Nigeria head coach insists players must add value to the national team
• Finidi has been appointed as Super Eagles coach on a two-year deal

Finidi George has laid down the marker for Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) players to get an invite to the Super Eagles following his appointment as head coach.

NPFL players have been neglected by the previous technical crew led by Jose Peseiro with no outfield player making the Nigeria squad to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in January.

According to Own Goal Nigeria, Finidi has stated that player selection will be void of sentiments as local footballers will only get invited to the national team if they can add value to the Super Eagles.

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"I will definitely go around and watch games, and see who and who that can come in to add value; that can come in to play.

"If we can see those that are willing, that have commitment and are ready to play and I know that they can help us, they will definitely be invited. No sentiment in this. So, if I go around and see players, players that are good enough to perform, they will definitely come to the camp".

Finidi will take charge of his first competitive game as head coach of the Super Eagles when Nigeria hosts South Africa in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying game in Uyo on June 7.

Finidi wants victory in qualifiers

Meanwhile, Finidi George is optimistic the Super Eagles will get maximum points from their next two World Cup qualifying games against South Africa and the Benin Republic, Complete Sports reports.

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With Nigeria yet to record a win in the qualifying series after two games, pressure is mounting on the West African giants to get positive results against Bafana Bafana and the Squirrels.

The Super Eagles risk not qualifying for back-to-back editions of the World Cup as they have picked up only two points after drawing against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

Finidi set to drop EPL star

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Finidi is set to make more changes to his proposed squad for the World Cup qualifiers with Brentford star, Frank Onyeka, set to lose his place in Nigeria’s squad.

The Super Eagles’ preparation for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying games against South Africa and Benin has been rocked by injuries, forcing the tactician to make adjustments to his already submitted list of players invited for the game.