Frustrated by Super Eagles' Setbacks, Finidi George Calls Out Delayed Camp Resumption
Finidi George expresses frustration over delayed camp resumption during his Super Eagles tenure, impacting team fitness and performance. He now focuses on leading Rivers United in the Nigeria Professional Football League.
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The Ex-Ajax Superstar expressed frustration over delayed camp resumption and its effects on his side's preparation for the qualifiers
Finidi George discussed with us at SportsBoom the challenges he faced during his tenure as head coach of the Super Eagles, also highlighting the importance of World Cup qualifiers and the impact of player fitness on the team's performance under him.
He expresses frustration over delayed camp resumption and its effects on preparation. As he embarks on a new chapter with Rivers United in the Nigeria Professional Football League, George emphasizes the unpredictable nature of the league while also sharing insights on leadership and responses to criticism.
Finidi George Highlights Key Issues Behind Super Eagles' Struggles Under Him
Finidi George discussed the factors that influenced the Super Eagles' disappointing results against South Africa and the Benin Republic during his tenure.
He emphasized the significance of World Cup qualifiers, stating: "For me, the most important games were the World Cup qualifiers. So, the other two games were friendly games."
He pointed out that many players didn’t perform at their best.
Most players didn't show up. The intensity in friendly matches.
Finidi George
Delayed Camp Resumption and Player Fitness: A Recipe for Disappointment
The Ex-Ajax Super star also expressed frustration over the delayed camp resumption, which he had hoped would start earlier.
"I wanted us to open the camp a little bit earlier because we knew and the season had come to an end, so the FA accepted, but later they changed their minds," he told SportsBoom.com.
"I wanted the team camp to open on the 26th of May, but they said it's not going to be possible because some players were already on holidays, which was very strange to me."
He attributed the team’s lack of fitness to this delay: "Most players were coming from their vacation places to the camp very late.”
"So, if you are at that big stage, if you're not fit enough, no matter the tactics, you can't give your best."
He noted how this impacted their performance, particularly against South Africa and Ivory Coast, where the team was struggling fitness wise.
"The concentration was not there," leading to conceding easy goals.
There Are No Easy Games
With 7 points from a possible 9 in 3 games in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), the new Rivers United boss is taking it a game at a time with the knowledge that; there are no easy games in the NPFL.
"We are quite happy with our run in the League even if not 100% perfect.”
"Every game is difficult in the NPFL people don't know. They just feel that if you get a draw, you would have won it.”
He also commended the impact of the players' performances in the fine run of form and plans ahead of his team's next game against his former side and nine-time champions Enyimba FC.
"I must commend my boys so far for the unbeaten run in the League.”
We would be playing against Enyimba. It's going to be a very difficult game. But so we are going to take every game as it comes. Game by game.
Finidi George
A Matter of Character: Reflecting on Responses to Criticism
"For me, you know, people are different. Character of people are different.”
He emphasized his own approach to criticism, unlike Osimhen if he was in the Galatasaray’s forwards shoes, in the much talked about spat between the duo.
He stated, "Yeah, I wouldn't have done that. If Keshi, late Keshi, had said something about me, I wouldn't have talked back. Or Christian Chukwu. These were my coaches."
He continued, "If they had said something, or I read something in the media that the coach said, I wouldn't reply to him. That's my kind of person, you know."
He acknowledged the diversity in reactions, saying, "The way we react to things is quite different. So, I would not know. But for me personally, I would not."
Gbemidepo Popoola, is a freelance Sport Journalist with multiple years of experience in Writing, Reportage and Broadcasting. Gbemidepo's major concentration is telling the local Nigerian Sporting stories, in its own Unique way. This is because he believes, "no one, can tell our story better than ourselves".