By Uzor Odigbo
Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Finidi George has bared his mind that qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World and Africa Cup of Nations are his target and biggest challenge.
Finidi George was unveiled on Monday at the Media Centre of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
He however pointed out that he will invite for international assignments, players who feature regularly at their clubs either in Nigeria or anywhere around the globe where they ply their trade, and promised that the Super Eagles will remain even more competitive in the years ahead.
“My first target is to make sure that we are in line to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by winning the upcoming two matches against South Africa and Benin Republic. The 2025 AFCON qualifiers will soon start and we must also be prepared for those as well.
I know what the NFF wants as it is boldly written in the contract, and I will work very hard to add value to the team and put myself in the position to earn even more than I will be earning from the take-off,” the soft spoken Finidi George said.
According to him, “I have always had a cordial relationship with all the players as an assistant coach. I am still the same person even as Head Coach now, only that the title has changed. There will be no controversy regarding relationships with the players. These are professional players and we have to give them what they’re used to in Europe; you don’t need to slap anyone to get him to do the right thing.
“I will try my best to ensure the team starts functioning properly and we start winning games again. There is no pressure on me; I have tough skin. I just want to call for your support. I know this is not an easy job, but with the support of everyone, we can achieve our objectives.”
He however expressed that he was not going to completely overhaul the second placed team at the AFCON held in Cote d’Ivoire.
But he said he would scout around the local league for determined and talented players to be injected into the team
