Finidi George, Super Eagles interim coach, has admitted he will give some new players a starting line-up chance for the forthcoming match against Mali on Monday, March 25.
Finidi was confirmed as Super Eagles interim head coach on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. The ex-Ajax and Real Mallorca player was handed the interim position following the exit of former manager Jose Peseiro after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final defeat to Cote d’Ivoire.
The 53-year-old, who is also the manager of Nigeria Professional Football League Club, Enyimba led the Super Eagles to a 2-1 triumph against Ghana on Friday, March 22, a game that featured star players like Wilfred Ndidi, Cyriel Dessers, Kelechi Ihenacho, and Bright Osayi-Samuel.
The Nigerian legend gave the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) a green light by leading his side to a remarkable first win over their fierce West African rivals in 18 years courtesy of two goals from Cyriel Dessers and super-sub Ademola Lookman.
It was an excellent start to George’s regime for the permanent Super Eagles job as the Nigerian players held off a 10-men stubborn Black Stars who finished the game strongly.
This recent success could boost Finidi George’s confidence and convince the NFF that the 53-year-old is a worthy candidate as Peseiro’s long-term successor.
However, the Enyimba head coach introduced a new face (Benjamin Taminu) to the team that defeated Ghana on Friday and has further revealed that there will be a few changes in the next friendly match against Mali.
Speaking to NFF TV, Finidi George said; “Definitely, we are going to see new players. Definitely, we cannot overload the players”.
He added; “Some will come in, and we will see the areas where they can help”
With numerous other prominent coaches including former Nigeria International Sunday Oliseh pushing for the position of Super Eagles head coach, Iheanacho has backed Finidi for the job.
The Leicester City striker feels interim coach George has done enough to be handed the Super Eagles job permanently.
After their victory over Ghana at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Friday, the former Man City forward said; “The coach (Finidi) has done a great job, it’s a short time for him to work with us. It’s just only him at the moment”.
He added; “Hopefully, he will get more chances with the team”.
What’s next for Finidi George?
The former Super Eagles winger will simply be pleased to have got his interim reign off to a winning start against one of the Super Eagles’ greatest rivals.
But if George can back this up with more positive results and performances when Nigeria takes to the pitch against Mali on Monday, he’ll give the NFF a serious reason to consider him for the job permanently.
The first match certainly couldn’t have gone much better as he made an early case for the full-time role.
Therefore, it is up to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to decide if George has proven himself enough already.
