Finidi George, an ex-Nigerian forward, will lead the Super Eagles in an international friendly against West African rivals Ghana on Friday in Marrakech.
On July 27, 1991, the 52-year-old former winger, who had previously played for Ajax Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Real Betis in Spain, scored his first goal against Burkina Faso at the National Stadium in Lagos. The NFF has selected him as interim team captain as a squad of 22 players prepares to face Ghana and Mali during this month’s international window.
George, who formerly played for Calabar Rovers and Sharks FC in Nigeria before moving to Europe, not only scored a goal but also assisted the famous Rashidi Yekini four times. He was instrumental in assisting Yekini in scoring Nigeria’s first FIFA World Cup goal against Bulgaria on June 19, 1994, in Dallas, USA.
Notably, George scored the winning goal that qualified Nigeria for their first FIFA World Cup final. He scored against Algeria in a key qualification in Algiers on October 8, 1993. The match finished 1-1, securing Nigeria’s place in the finals in America.
On Friday, Finidi George, who comes from a football family (his elder brother Alari and younger brother Igeniwari, may he rest in peace, were all accomplished players), will issue orders from the sidelines. This comes 21 months after he began his apprenticeship with Portuguese coach José Santos Peseiro, who led the Super Eagles to second place at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year.
As of Tuesday midday, 12 of the scheduled 22 players have arrived in Marrakech, Morocco’s fourth-largest city. Unfortunately, defenders Gabriel Osho and Tyronne Ebuehi, as well as attackers Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi, are out injured.
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 are all present at the Adam Park Hotel in Marrakech.
Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defender Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi, and striker Kelechi Iheanacho are due to arrive in Marrakech on Tuesday. Bright Osayi-Samuel, a defender from Turkey, is the only one slated to join the squad on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, March 26th, the African vice champions will face Mali’s Les Aigles at the same Grand Stade de Marrakech.