By Ohuakanwa Chibuzo
Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George, has announced a change in strategy for tonight’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against South Africa, set to take place in Uyo. This game comes after their previous encounter at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, where Nigeria triumphed over South Africa on penalties.
The Super Eagles currently sit third in their qualifying group with two points, trailing Rwanda and South Africa. A win tonight is essential to reviving their World Cup hopes.
In his first competitive match as head coach, Finidi George emphasized the importance of adapting their game plan from the AFCON match. “AFCON is gone now. We knew how the game went. It was difficult but we won it, which is very important. This is a World Cup Qualifier and we are going to play differently from the way we played in AFCON,” he stated at a press conference in Uyo. “This will be a different ball game. I am quite confident in our ability and what we are able to do tomorrow (today). We want to win and to qualify for the next World Cup and we will strive to get that win.”
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George expressed confidence in his team’s preparation and readiness. “We have trained so well and the players are fully prepared for the game. They know the task ahead and they are just waiting for the start of the game. We do not have doubt about the capacity of the players. They know it is a must-win game and we will approach it that way.”
He also confirmed that key players Samuel Chukwueze and Chigozie Awaziem, who had been dealing with injuries and health issues respectively, are fit and ready for the match. “All the players are ready. Samuel Chukwueze had a knock in training on Wednesday but he has been able to train without pains. Chidozie Awaziem had a little stomach upset but he is fine now,” Finidi added.
Looking ahead, the Super Eagles coach emphasized the importance of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) in developing national talent. “We invited three players and I feel that is enough for now. The criterion is we keep watching the league and fish out those that are good enough to join the team. It is a gradual process and we want to encourage the players in the domestic league knowing that their time will come too. We will bring in players that are capable of playing for the senior national team that will add value to the team.”
