FCT FA chairman, Adam Mouktar Mohammed has applauded the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) for appointing Finidi George as the substantive Super Eagles coach.
The NFF on Monday appointed George as Super Eagles head coach.
This followed the expiration of Jose Peseiro’s contract, who led the three-time African champions to the final match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Which Nigeria lost by 2-1. The 63-year-old’s contract with the NFF ended in February 2024.
Mouktar who is currently in Cairo, Egypt in an interview with Blueprint on Wednesday said he was excited with the new development by the NFF.
Mouktar, who is also a key stakeholder in the football fraternity describes the appointment of the Rivers State-born tactician as a square peg in a square hole.
Mouktar pleaded with Nigerians (critical stakeholders) to rally round the coach, and support the team so that the Super Eagles can restore Nigeria’s glory among the comity of footballing nations in the world.
“Yes. Finidi is the man given the nod by the people responsible for the selection. He’s Nigerian. He’s is the former assistant to Jose Peseiro. He is the head coach of one of the top teams in Nigeria.
“Finidi has served Nigeria meritoriously. He played at the highest level and performed exceptionally. He played with Ajax in one of their greatest moments and won everything so he knows what it takes ! He has been to World Cup as a player and he has the experience .
The football aficinados therefore charges the new Super Eagles coach to formulate a plan and strategy on how to get the job done. He must have a clear vision, communication strategy as his body language, decisions and actions will all be interpreted either way”
“Most importantly, Finidi must lead by example and he must be able to set high standard in professionalism. He must gain the respect of the troops his commanding. Again, he must pick the best players and employ top game analyst to help him succeed”
“He must qualify Nigeria for 2026 World Cup. Anything short of that will be disaster . This is minimum of what Nigerians expect from him. He must strive to leave a legacy and ear nore respect for home grown coaches”
Mouktar urges Finidi to avoid been influence in player’s call-up and selection. He must kap out, plan and strategize properly to the highest level. Its equally important for him to read very well and study each opponent in details as the modern game is largely about finer details !
Moukar opines that Finidi will be under close scrutiny and pressure from his employers, media, players and other external foes and forces and therefore he must be up and doing to succeed.
Finidi George who was part of Ajax Amsterdam’s squad that that won the UEFA Champions League, alongside his compatriot and his current chairman at Enyimba, Kanu Nwankwo in 1995, took charge of the team in an interim capacity; oversaw two friendly matches, against the Black Stars of Ghana, and the Eagles of Mali, winning 2-1, and losing 0-2, respectively.
