Former Nigerian international Edema Fuludu has called upon the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to entrust the senior national team reins to another Super Eagles icon, George Finidi, Soccernet.ng reports.
The national team head coach position became vacant after former Sporting Lisbon manager Jose Peseiro announced his departure earlier this month.
Peseiro’s tenure culminated with a nail-biting 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final against Ivory Coast, where the Eagles narrowly succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the hosts.
Several coaches, including Emmanuel Amunike, Michael Nsien, Sunday Oliseh, Ndubuisi Egbo, and Daniel Amokachi, have shown interest in taking over from the Portuguese gaffer. A few foreign coaches are also reportedly eyeing the Super Eagles coaching job.
However, amidst the clamour for a Nigerian coach to be appointed, Fuludu’s voice resonates with conviction as he champions Finidi’s candidacy for the coveted position.
Finidi, who was teammates with Fuludu when the Super Eagles won the AFCON in 1994 on Tunisian soil, is the current interim head coach of the Super Eagles. The former AFC Ajax and Real Betis midfielder was Peseiro’s assistant for 22 months.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (per the Vanguard), Fuludu underscored Finidi’s suitability for the role, particularly citing the recent friendly match against Ghana’s Black Stars as evidence of Finidi’s managerial prowess.
The Super Eagles clinched victory with a resolute 2-1 triumph, a feat that, according to Fuludu, exemplifies Finidi’s aptitude for the job.
“Finidi is calm, serene, and has the coaching qualifications to deal perfectly with the team,” Fuludu said.
“As far as I’m concerned, he’s not someone who can be easily influenced.
“He is capable of dealing with the players who were substitutes for former foreign coach José Peseiro.”
Fuludu added: “I have said that hiring an indigenous coach for the Super Eagles will get the best out of our national players because he will understand the team more than foreigners.
Nigeria’s win in Morocco is the Super Eagles’ first victory in 18 years over Ghana’s Black Stars.
Coach Finidi will want to make it two consecutive wins when he guides the three-time African champions against Mali in another international friendly on Tuesday, March 26.
NB: Is the win over Ghana enough to prove George Finidi’s prowess to manage the Super Eagles permanently? Leave your comments below.
