Newly appointed Super Eagles gaffer, Finidi George, has disclosed that he’s in touch with Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey and other players he intend to use to prosecute the must win 2026 World Cup qualifiers match against South Africa and Benin Republic respectively.
Finidi told Blueprint Sports after his brief meeting with the chieftains of the Glasshouse, that his visit was to acquaint himself with the workings of the football house and also have one-on-one discussion with his employers.
At the meeting was the NFF president, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
He also met with NFF Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, in his office to familiarise himself with the office.
Finidi first official match will be against South Africa in Uyo next month before confronting Benin Republic in Abidjan three days later.
On the World Cup qualifiers, the new Super Eagles handler has this to say “the World Cup qualification matches against South Africa and Benin Republic is a collective responsibility for all Nigerians.
“I know I am in charge now and the heavy responsibility is on me to win the two World Cup matches.
“I will do my best to ensure success and qualify for the World Cup.
“I am also in touch with the players and they are ready and willing to give their all having missed out in the last edition held in Qatar. I have spoken to them one on one outlining my vision and they are keyed in to the goal of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
“In terms of having knowledge of our opponents , I have been following them.
“The world today is a global village, one can monitor anything in the comfort of his sitting room.
“Also as we working hard to qualify same they are doing to be at the World Cup.
“We need prayers and support from everybody, this is our own we can do it and do it well.
“Honestly my target is to win the two matches and not to be judged with the two international friendly games played (as interim coach, won one and lost one).”
Nigeria are third along with Lesotho and Zimbabwe after two rounds of matches.
Rwanda is on top of the group with four points, South Africa are second on three points, while Benin are bottom on a point.
Blueprint Sport can reveal that finishing touches are being put into his contractual papers and the Bayelsa born gaffer may likely sign the papers this week if the Ministry of Sports Legal department, the NFF and Finidi’s lawyers are done with the paper works.
