By MMN reporter 15.12.2025
Former Super Eagles winger and coach of the national team for three months George Finidi said the Nigeria Football Federation by now should have learn a lesson of how to prepare for the World Cup qualifiers after Nigeria missed back-to-back qualification.
Finidi took over the reins of the team after coach Jose Peseiro stepped away from the job. He failed to win his first two matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic a draw and loss, results which set the Super Eagles back in the campaign.
But speaking on the botched campaign Finidi said it was painful the Super Eagles didn’t qualify for the World Cup despite all their last-minute efforts.
“It’s quite sad we couldn’t make it to the world cup,” sighed the Enyimba FC coach.
“But it all boils down to better preparations, and I hope that we must have learned our lessons and going forward things would be done better.
“We have good players, but at same time it boils down to preparations and anticipating what’s coming ahead.”
He added that the Super Eagles can make amends with the Africa Cup of Nations starting December 21 in Morocco.
“Nigeria is a team is respected all over the world and the team must have to put up the performance that will get them to the final.
“If they can play like they did in the last part of their world cup qualifiers they will go far in the tournament.
“We have good team to clinch the AFCON, they must believe they can do, they all are professionals, and they know what to do, it’s a matter coming up to the party. We have all the credentials, it is a matter of being focused and if they can maintain that focus, they have a chance of winning.”
Calvin Bassey and Finidi George.