Forget Super Eagles if you sit on the bench - Tough-skinned Finidi George warns Nigeria national football team stars

New Super Eagles coach Finidi George during his iconic celebration at LALIGA club Real Betis.

FOOTBALL Forget Super Eagles if you sit on the bench - Tough-skinned Finidi George warns Nigeria national football team stars

Forget Super Eagles if you sit on the bench - Tough-skinned Finidi George warns Nigeria national football team stars

Izuchukwu Akawor • 17:22 - 13.05.2024

Nigeria national football team's new coach Finidi George has sent a clear message to Super Eagles players stating that Nigeria will always come first.

New Nigeria national football team head coach Finidi George has wasted no time in laying down the law to his Super Eagles players - insisting they must be playing regularly at club level to be considered for selection.

The 53-year-old was officially unveiled by the Nigerian Football Federation on Monday and quickly set out his expectations for the national team.

Finidi on national football team call-ups

Finidi stated that any player called up to represent Nigeria under his tenure will need to show full commitment, starting with getting regular game time for their respective clubs.

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"Nigeria comes first and you have to play regularly in your club and must have commitment," Finidi said firmly during his first press conference.

NFF unveils Finidi George as new Super Eagles manager.
NFF unveils Finidi George as new Super Eagles manager. (Photo Credit: Football temple/X)

It marks a clear shift in approach from previous regimes, with Finidi making it abundantly clear he will not tolerate Super Eagles players just going through the motions at international level.

The former winger earned 62 caps himself for Nigeria as part of the iconic 1994 AFCON-winning side, and knows exactly the desire and application required to succeed on the international stage.

New Nigeria Super Eagles coach Finidi George is grateful for the chance to lead.
New Nigeria Super Eagles coach Finidi George is grateful for the chance to lead. (Photo Credit: Pulse Sports collage.)

With Nigeria having underachieved in recent years, culminating in a heart-breaking AFCON 2023 final defeat to Ivory Coast, Finidi is determined to re-install a hardworking, professional culture.

His comments put the likes of high-profile players on notice that their club form and application will be under scrutiny but he quickly added that his relationship with players is cordial.

The first Super Eagles team under Finidi George before the game against Ghana. (Photo Credit: theNFF/Facebook)

‘I have always had a cordial relationship with all the players as an assistant coach. I am still the same person even as Head Coach now, only that the title has changed.

“These are professional players and we have to give them what they’re used to in Europe; you don’t need to slap anyone to get him to do the right thing.”

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Any of Nigeria's bigger names who find themselves either out of their club team or showing a lack of full commitment can likely expect to be overlooked by Finidi as he bids to shape his new era.

It's a bold statement of intent from the newly-appointed boss as he looks to get the Super Eagles back on track ahead on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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