Sodiq Ismail, a defender for Remo Stars FC, has voiced his disappointment with Finidi George’s departure as Super Eagles head coach.
Ismail, who earned his national team debut under Finidi in the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic, spoke with SportsBoom.com.
“I am saddened by the coach’s resignation,” Ismail stated.
“However, I hope to learn from the new manager and his team when they come on board,” said the employee.
Finidi resigned as head coach of the Super Eagles in June after only two games. Following the team’s dismal performance in two 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic, the Nigeria Football Federation decided to hire a foreign technical adviser.
Ismail, nicknamed “Nigeria’s Daniel Alves” for his attacking abilities, lauded Finidi’s precise instructions during his Eagles debut in a 2-1 loss to Benin in Ivory Coast, adding, “The coach’s instructions for me in the game were basic and unambiguous. He told me, “Ismail, once you have the ball, just deliver it inside the box.”
Finidi has since been named the new head coach of Nigeria Premier Football Club Rivers United.
Ismail also highlighted similarities between Finidi’s coaching style and that of his Remo Stars club coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, indicating a smooth transfer into the national team setup under the former coach’s leadership.
Despite the defeat, Ismail is still optimistic about his future with the Super Eagles. “It was an honour to represent my country, and I believe it will significantly benefit my career,” he told me.
The defender was called up to the national team after an impressive 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League season, where he recorded 13 assists and one goal, making him a standout player in the Nigerian topflight. He is known for his attacking contributions from the defensive line.