Finidi George, who was recently appointed as the Nigeria soccer team manager, is under fire as the Super Eagles go four games without a win: three draws and one loss. He started on a high note, guiding the national team to impressive performances in the African Cup of Nations. However, the current World Cup qualifiers have presented a much steeper challenge for him.
Let us dive deeper into the struggles that Nigeria is facing under Finidi’s leadership in the World Cup qualifiers as we explore the factors that have contributed to the team’s difficulties. Does Nigeria have to get another head coach, or is Finidi still the man to guide the Super Eagles to glory?
Finidi’s AFCON Journey
Finidi stepped in as an interim manager during the AFCON competitions this year. Nigeria was struggling and they were about to be knocked out of the competition. However, he managed to guide them to the finals, which was an incredible feat. He led Nigeria to win national teams like South Africa, Cameroon, and Angola, which had higher odds of winning the trophy.
He was appointed as the full manager in April, as the Nigeria Football Federation has trust in him to guide the Super Eagles to glory. With the star-studded squad who have had a great run in Europe, Finidi has struggled in the World Cup Qualifiers as it has shown that it’s a different kind of challenge for him.
The World Cup Qualifiers: A Rocky Road
The expectations were high, and with the impressive runner-ups in the AFCON, fans believed Nigeria would conquer Africa. However, their performances in the World Cup qualifiers have not been as expected. Nigeria struggled against Benin in their 2-1 defeat, and before this, there were three draws.
This has put Finidi and his boys in the fifth position out of six with only three points. Nigeria’s qualification in the 2026 World Cup is in jeopardy, as they face an uphill battle to turn things around. Can Finidi guide them to secure a spot? Is he the right man to guide the Super Eagles?
Finidi’s choices for certain positions have raised questions among fans and pundits. He abandoned Jose Peseiro’s back three, which was solid, and went with a back four. In the last two games, he has conceded three goals, which suggests the back four might not be working.
In the previous game, he decided to deploy Osayi Samuel as a left-back, who is a right-back, and Benjamin Tanimu, who is a center-back, as a right-back. Well, this did not play out as expected, as Osayi Samuel was injured in the latter stage of the game.
The Verdict: Patience is Key
Is Finidi the right man for the job? Well, at the moment, it does not look like it. Nigeria sits fifth without a win in the group. At the moment, they need to win the remaining six games to qualify for a spot in the 2026 World Cup, which is close to impossible.
Yes, it has been a shaky start for Finidi in the World Cup qualifiers but he needs to be given time. His start with Nigeria in the AFCON earlier this year showed how he can guide the national team to glory. It was just not an impressive feat, but he also turned around everything for the Super Eagles as they were about to get knocked out of the competition.
Building a successful team takes time, and Finidi has to be given time to implement his strategies. Patience is key. Remember, even the greatest achievements require a foundation, and with unwavering support, Finidi can guide Nigeria back to World Cup glory.
About the Author
From Mbale, Uganda, Wopicho Tony is a rising star in the world of football punditry. This self-proclaimed football fanatic bleeds passion for the beautiful game. With an eye for talent and a deep understanding of the sport’s intricacies, Tony’s analysis is both insightful and engaging. Check out the blog about African football on Footy Africa.
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