Former Nigeruan international, Victor Ikpeba believes Super Eagles interim coach, Finidi George is on the right track in becoming the team’s substantive coach.
Recall that the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner was handed the job on an interim basis following the departure of Jose Peseiro after leading Nigeria to the final of the AFCON 2023 final, where the team lost 2-1 to Ivory Coast.
However, Ikpeba, who was a guest on Monday Night Football on Supersports, stated that last week’s 2-1 win over the Black Stars of Ghana may have put him on the right track to becoming the coach on permanent basis.
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“I am happy with what Finidi is doing with the Super Eagles. I am in the system and I know what he’s doing. Don’t forget that I am in the committee set up to do the right thing.
“We are doing the right thing that’s why we made Findi the interim manager instead of calling for other managers or names to be employed. Instead we said the assistant should take over from Peseiro.
“From what I have seen from the players comments, its looking good for Finidi George. As I speak right now, I think it’s looking good for him. Mind you. I am not the decision making , I am one of the people that will advise the NFF. but it’s looking good for Finidi.”
Nigeria will today confront Les Aigles of Mali in Marrakech in another international friendly.
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COMMENTS
What will the future of wingers be under Finidi George.
Against Ghana, the formation played by Nigeria had no provisions for natural wingers. Placing one extra player in attack (Iheanacho) whilst adding additional body in midfield (Iwobi) meant the winger roles of Simon and Lookman were effectively abolished.
Like I said in another post, for everything you hold on to in one formation, you sacrifice in another.
By dumping his former manager’s Afcon formation, Finidi effectively restored Iwobi and Iheanacho to their natural positions whilst effectively banishing erstwhile former starters Lookman and Simon to the bench as they became surplus to requirements.
Under Peseiro, midfielders were surplus to requirements. Should Finidi hang on to the job for longer and should he persist with the formation he used against Ghana, then the funeral bells will start to sound for budding Super Eagles wingers out there.
So, in this formation, what can Finidi do to accommodate wingers?
Option 1: select wingers like Lookman who are comfortable playing support striker roles.
Option 2: select wingers like Moses Simon who are comfortable playing as wingbacks or fullbacks.
Option 3: reduce the number of wingers invited to the Super Eagles.
I think Finidi will go for a combination of all three options.
For me, it was painful to see all our wingers – Simon, Tella, Dele-Bashiru and Tella – starting from the bench. It was like seeing a plane flying without wings.
This wasn’t overly problematic as we won the match. But, as future opponents catch on to this wingless Eagles, they will seek to overload our wingbacks, thereby overworking them.
Slowly but surely, the echoes of discontent of how Peseiro overworked our midfield will start to be sounded for how Finidi is overworking the wingbacks and underutilising our plethora of fabulous wingers.
Coaches can never win!
I will leave it there.
If Finidi continues in his role and continues with his formation and philosophy, can anybody tell me where 100% wingers like Samuel Chukwueze will fit? What will be the point in continuing to invite Tella rather than look for midfielders to complement Iwobi, Ndidi and Frank for when they get tired?
Peseiro invited more strikers/wingers which was slammed by fans. By the time Finidi starts inviting less strikers/wingers in favour of more bodies in midfield, hope fans will understand the rational behind this selection criteria (before coming out to slam Finidi for ignoring their favourite strikers).
Again, think about it: all of our natural strikers bar none were absent from the starting 11 against Ghana. This is a sign of selections to come.
*** Again, think about it: all of our natural wingers bar none were absent from the starting 11 against Ghana. This is a sign of selections to come. ***
@deo. You’re spot on. I think the team is shaping up. We are now seeing the team having the types of players that can play different formations as the situation may warrant
Just as you said ademola can play as a support striker. He is better than pushing him to fully into the wings. But what happens when Boniface returns. Can iheanacho keep his starting shirt?
For Moses Simon, he can play as a wing back when we play 352. He has done that before. He can also be useful when we play 433.
Ademola, Moses iheanacho, Boniface will always be useful and must always be invited. We have seen iheanacho play from the right wing too as an inverted winger. Because these players can adjust and be used in other formation.
I have not seen Tella. I believe he is also flexible too. I really want to see him today. He is the only one I want to see. I have not watched him at Leverkusen. I want to believe he can play for eagles just like ademola in the wings and as a support striker.
He should be a valuable player too. We need to give him the chance. The more of these types of players the better – players playing regularly and who can fit in to different formations.
Chukuwueze is out for sure. He is not flexible and even as a winger nit measuring up. I believe he is out for now.
Midfield is shaping up to some extent. Ndidi, onyeka, alhasan Yusuf and onyedika. Dele Bashiru too but I think he would have to give way sooner or later.
Attack Oshimen, dessers awoniyi. Boniface can also be here if need arises. Sodiq to me is becoming a waste of time like chukuwueze.
I think the players above should always get invitation anytime for any formation. We can even change formation during the course of a game.
Sorry for defense. Happy for tanimu. I think Igor ogbu must come and show. Gabriel Osho too when he is fit.
If we can keep this team they can grow together and become a force in the world. Good field and good bench
@ deo
Appreciate your view. I think the game against Mali will give us more insight to how Finidi wants to play.
That said, I think most of our wingers are flexible and adaptable; except maybe Chukwueze. I haven’t seen much of Tella to speak on him. But players like Iwobi, Lookman, Iheanacho and to some extent Simon, can play multiple positions and can fit in quite well to any given formation. Especially if it is in the forward line. I just hope the experimentation of Iwobi been played in the Central midfield like in the AFCON doesn’t happen again. I have always stated Peseiro played Iwobi out of position thereby reducing his potency and killing arguably, our best creative outlet bar Iheanacho.
Whoever plays, as much as we manage the game wisely, I want to see us dictate play rather than be reactionary and mostly defensive; that burns out the players easily, no matter the formation.
Well, my jury is still out on Finidi. We don’t know the plans of NFF. İs Finidi going to remain, or we get another permanent coach? Whatever the case, I want to see what the future brings, more so the hunger and desire of the players, starting with the game against Mali today.
wish us luck tonight and going forward.
I am of the opinion that one of the reasons why a back four has not work out in the SE in recent games played is wrong combination of players. Understanding the best position of each of our center back and playing a double defensive midfielder will give the team the necessary defensive cover. A 433 formation gives the team a lot of unpredictability. Most of the African team knew we depends solely more on the wingers. Therefore, they were able to neutralize our attacking forray. Conversely, this is the tactical aspect the coach as to look into.
After drewing 0:0 with Ghana during the WC qualifier , people start talking and popped up , not until the second leg 1-1 and and even the Abuja stadium was turned upside down. We barely won 2-1 in an empty stadium and people already writing an essay, I’m sure if we won again tonight people will brand Finidi as the Nigeria Guadiola lol.
Finidi is not a coach, is an opportunist. Let’s forget this NFF supported individuals. SIASIA, EMENIKE are better. But they won’t.
He just shot himself in the face with that Mistake formation he started with. If no ne juju why him no continue with his own philosophy and pattern of play like he did for Ghana. Him dey go copy pesiero formation. Sorry man your prospect of being the next eagles coach just got dashed!!
Stupid coach. Finidi is not capable of manage the super eagle at all. Common Mali beat us.
“All we are saying, give us foreign coach.”