A renowned Sports Analyst, Tayo Balogun has said that the appointment of Finidi George as the Super Eagles head coach was long overdue.
Balogun said this in Ibadan on Tuesday, stressing that it was surprising that NFF waited this long to make the appointment.
“In view of the Eagles tight schedule, one would have expected that immediately José Peseiro said he was leaving, George should have been upgraded to continue with the plans already on ground.
“Giving all the statistics and all things involved I think there was no choice than to appoint him because he worked with Peseiro for 20 months and also as an interim manager.
“He had earlier coached a football team in Nigeria. He knows the terrain. He might not have been involved in the politics of Nigeria football, but every other thing he knows and he’s home grown.
“With organisation and dedication, I see no reason why we can’t qualify ahead of Rwanda, Benin Republic and South Africa in our group.
“After working with Peseiro, who was a defensive minded coach, he’ll have to pick his own style. In the next few matches, I’ll want him to be very cautious,”he said.
Balogun said that if we love Nigeria, this is the time for us all to come together and support George.
“His salary should be decided, mode of payment as and when due. I prefer that George is the chosen one over a foreign coach who won’t know much about Nigerian football and its terrain.
“There are advantages in having a foreign coach, but there are many more disadvantages,” he said.
The NFF on Monday announced the appointment of George as the Super Eagles head Coach.
George in interim capacity edged Ghana 2-1 in the first match, ending an 18-year winless streak against the Black Stars, but lost 0-2 to Mali in the second game.
Ex-internationals urge Finidi to be professional, firm
Meanwhile, ex-internationals have advised the newly appointed Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George to be professional and firm in his judgement as he assumes his new coaching role.
The players gave the advice in separate interviews on Tuesday in Lagos.
Baldwin Bazuaye, a member of Nigeria’s squad which won the 1985 FIFA U-16 World Championship in China, urged George to ensure professionalism in his conduct.
“It is a good thing that the NFF has deemed it fit to appoint a former player in person of George as the coach of the team.
“We should give kudos to the NFF for this opportunity and getting them involved in the affairs of the national teams.
“My advice for George is that he must be professional in his dealings with the players. I believe he can do it and will succeed.
“The job of the Super Eagles is a serious one and George must be diligent in handling the affairs of the team. He must make his selection based on merit and shun nepotism,” he said.
The 1990 African Nations Cup silver medalist, urged the NFF to give Geroge a free hand to work and learn from his own mistakes.
“George must be fair to all and also be ready to listen to other people’s advice,” he said.
On his part, Edema Fuludu hailed the choice of George by the NFF to handle the Super Eagles.
“Fortunately, I have always advocated for a home-based coach for our national team. For me, it is not Eldorado yet, because we want results.
“I have also advocated that NFF should give any local coach appointed a formal contract and let him have authority as the manager of the team.
“George should be allowed to make his decisions without interference, although the technical committee of the NFF also wants the best for the team,” he said.
Fuludu advised George to run an open door policy in managing the affairs of the team.
“I will advise him to shun anything that will be detrimental to his progress. If he is not allowed to work as he ought to, he should speak.
“George must also be proactive and bring those he can work with into the team and in terms of selection; he must ensure an all-embracing team,“he said.
He urged George to also give the home based players the opportunity to showcase their talents.
Super Eagles: Akanni calls for support for Finidi
Similarly, ex-International Waidi Akanni, has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to give the newly appointed Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Finidi George the support he needs to succeed in his new role.
Akanni made the call in an interview on Tuesday in Lagos.
“It’s what we expected, a good home based coach, with everyone’s unflinching support and George’s experience I’m positive that he will do well.
“I hope he gets the support he needs from the federation, that’s very crucial to his success, with that we will have a beautiful team that we can have confidence in.
“I look forward to seeing beautiful football with positive results,” he said.
George, spent 20 months as assistant to José Peseiro before the Portuguese`s resignation following the accomplishment of Africa Cup of Nations runner-up position at Cote d’Ivoire 2023.
He took charge of the squad in interim capacity during two friendly matches in Morocco in March.
His squad edged Ghana 2-1 in the first match, ending an 18-year winless streak against the Black Stars, but then lost 0-2 to Mali in the second game.