The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Finidi George as interim coach of the Super Eagles and he will be in charge when the three-time African champions confront West African arch-rivals Ghana in an international friendly in Marrakech on Friday.
It will be recalled that the 52-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Real Betis (Spain) winger, who featured for Calabar Rovers and Sharks FC in the domestic scene before heading to Europe, scored one and made four assists for legendary ‘goalsfather’ Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) on his debut in 1991.
He also assisted Yekini to score Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal against Bulgaria in Dallas, USA on 19th June 1994.
Meanwhile, as of Tuesday lunchtime, 12 of the 22 players expected had arrived in Morocco’s fourth-largest city.
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Defenders Gabriel Osho and Tyronne Ebuehi, and forwards Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi have been knocked out by injury.
Already in the team’s Adam Park Hotel in Marrakech are goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Olorunleke Ojo, defenders Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Jamilu Collins, Bruno Onyemaechi and Benjamin Tanimo, midfielders Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf, and forwards Moses Simon, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Sadiq Umar and Ademola Lookman.
Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defender Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi, and forward Kelechi Iheanacho were being expected in Marrakech yesterday.
Only Turkey-based defender Bright Osayi-Samuel is being expected to arrive today.
The Super Eagles will also take on the Les Aigles of Mali at the same Grand Stade de Marrakech on Tuesday, March 26.
