Ex-Nigerian forward Finidi George will take charge from the chief’s corner in the dugout as the Super Eagles face their West African rivals Ghana in an international friendly in Marrakech on Friday.
The 52-year-old former winger, who previously played for Ajax Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Real Betis in Spain, marked his debut with a goal during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Burkina Faso at the National Stadium in Lagos on July 27, 1991. He has been appointed by the NFF to temporarily lead the team as a squad of 22 players prepares to face Ghana and Mali during this month’s international window.
On his debut in 1991, George, who also had stints with Calabar Rovers and Sharks FC in the Nigerian domestic scene before venturing to Europe, not only scored a goal but also provided four assists for the legendary Rashidi Yekini. He played a crucial role in assisting Yekini in scoring Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal against Bulgaria in Dallas, USA on June 19, 1994.
Notably, George scored the decisive goal that secured Nigeria’s qualification for their first FIFA World Cup finals. He found the net against hosts Algeria in a crucial qualifier in Algiers on October 8, 1993. The match ended 1-1, securing Nigeria a spot in the finals in America.
On Friday, Finidi George, hailing from a lineage of football talents (his elder brother Alari and younger brother Igeniwari, may he rest in peace, were both accomplished players), will be issuing commands from the sidelines. This comes 21 months after he commenced his apprenticeship under Portuguese coach José Santos Peseiro, who guided the Super Eagles to the runner-up position at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire earlier in the year.
As of Tuesday noon, twelve out of the expected 22 players had arrived in Marrakech, Morocco’s fourth-largest city. Unfortunately, defenders Gabriel Osho and Tyronne Ebuehi, as well as forwards Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi, have been sidelined due to injuries.
Present at the team’s Adam Park Hotel in Marrakech are goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Olorunleke Ojo, defenders Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Jamilu Collins, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Benjamin Tanimo, midfielders Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, and Alhassan Yusuf, and forwards Moses Simon, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Sadiq Umar, and Ademola Lookman.
Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defender Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi, and forward Kelechi Iheanacho were expected to arrive in Marrakech by Tuesday. Only Turkey-based defender Bright Osayi-Samuel is scheduled to join the squad on Wednesday.
The African vice champions will also face off against the Les Aigles of Mali at the same Grand Stade de Marrakech on Tuesday, March 26th.