Super Eagles legend Finidi George will temporarily lead Nigeria vs Ghana and Mali in the upcoming FIFA international friendlies.
This stint could potentially serve as an audition for the permanent coaching position. Finidi and his charges will first take on the Black Stars of Ghana on March 22 before squaring off against the Eagles of Mali on March 26.
The Super Eagles have been without a manager since Portuguese trainer Jose Peseiro saw out his contract with the West African nation in February.
Several names including Finidi have been rumoured to be interested in the vacant Super Eagles coaching job. The 52-year-old who is currently the head coach of Enyimba FC, was one of Peseiro's assistants.
Finidi George sets high expectations ahead of Ghana, Mali games
Speaking to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) media, Finidi emphasised the importance of maintaining the nation's high ranking.
He further reflected on Nigeria's recent success of securing a second-placed finish at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. Furthermore, he acknowledged the pressure to build upon this achievement.
In anticipation of the games with Ghana and Mali, Finidi underlines the seriousness of facing Ghana, with whom he has a long history of competitive encounters.
“We finished in second place at the Africa Cup of Nations and everyone expects us to maintain that high rating and be even better in a short while. Our objective is to get good results in these two matches and stay positive ahead of the World Cup qualifiers,” he gushed.
“They call it friendly matches but there is really nothing friendly when you play, especially Ghana. I have been involved in matches against Ghana since the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal. Matches between our countries are serious duels and always seen as battles by our peoples. The Black Stars did not perform that well at the recent Africa Cup of Nations and they will be keen to banish that memory,” he continued
“We will be missing four players who have pulled out due to injury but I have confidence in the team that we have here that they will wear the green-white-green with pride and with patriotic fervour.”
Four Super Eagles players to miss Nigeria vs Ghana, Mali games
Finidi will go into these games without the services of Nigeria's trusted forward, Victor Osimhen. The Napoli striker who was originally named in the squad for the friendlies had to pull out through injury.
Another player who is ruled out is Luton Town's centre-back Gabriel Osho. The 25-year-old sustained an injury during Luton Town’s 1-1 away draw at Crystal Palace last Saturday.
Osho will have to wait a bit longer to make his Super Eagles debut.
Also, Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi's expected return to the Super Eagles will be delayed after the striker picked up a knock ahead of his club's game against Luton Town.
Awoniyi's last appearance for Nigeria came on November 16th, 2023, during a World Cup qualifier against Lesotho. Tyronne Ebuehi is the next Super Eagles player who has withdrawn from the friendlies due to injury.
The 28-year-old was injured during Empoli's 1-0 defeat to Bologna last Saturday having replaced Emmanuel Gyasi in the 66th minute.
