As Finidi George takes charge as the new Super Eagles head coach he has been advised to be mindful of what Nigerians expect of him in that role, Soccernet.ng reports.
Finidi beat stiff competition from top indigenous and foreign coaches to be named as Jose Peseiro’s successor.
In announcing his appointment, the Nigeria Football Federation tasked Finidi with guiding the Super Eagles past South Africa, Rwanda and others to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The former Ajax midfielder has his work already cut out as Nigeria face South Africa and the Benin Republic next month in crucial World Cup qualifiers.
In getting the Super Eagles ready for the challenges ahead, Finidi has been advised to take note of three things that could help his assignment.
Former international Bright Omokaro has highlighted three things Nigerian fans will be on the look out for in the Super Eagles under the charge of Finidi.
Omokaro points out that Finidi will be expected to build a squad strong in all departments, capable of delivering regular positive results, with players who merit their place in the team.
With Peseiro at the helm, Nigeria only won ten of 22 matches, losing another seven. The Portuguese tactician deployed the Super Eagles in a defence-first approach at the 2023 AFCON and received knocks from critics despite guiding the team to the final.
Finidi has, however, been urged to improve on the style and ouout of his former boss.
“I urge him (Finidi ) to know what he is doing. He should stick to the job, and be determined to bring the best result for the country,” Omokaro, a member of Super Eagles silver medal winning squad at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, told NAN.
“The expectations are high at this point in time, especially when the Eagles are preparing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup; all eyes will be on him now.
“All Nigerians are awaiting him to build a formidable team, to bring good results, and shun undue influence in selecting players.”
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will resume their World Cup qualifying campaign with a mouthwatering clash against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
The match is scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on June 2 and will be a rematch of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024) semi-final clash between the two teams.
The Super Eagles got the better of Bafana Bafana during the AFCON, after beating Hugo Broos’ side on penalties following a pulsating 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time to deny them a place in the final.
Nigeria eventually failed to lift the trophy losing 2-1 to hosts Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan.
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