Finidi George Faces Acid Test in Make Or Mar World Cup Qualifiers Against South Africa and Benin.

  

Some school of thought believes Jose Peseiro ran away when the proverbial ovation is loudest. He knows he has messed up the world Cup qualifications for Nigeria and used remuneration excuse to leave with his head high. That puts the new appointed head coach Finidi George in the position of a rescue man. 

Some ex-internationals argue that Finidi should not be judged with the world Cup qualification. Well, they all know you can't tell that to the crazy Nigerian fans. If Finidi fails to win the match against South Africa and that of Benin, then he has played into the hands of NFF. The fans will 'force' them to sack him. 

For me, that's what NFF cartel wanted in the first place, a reason to employ another journeyman foreign coach. Well, that's what I think. 

Finidi will, on Friday, June 7 and Monday, June 10, face his acid test as the substantive coach of the former African champions, even as the Super Eagles will aim to rekindle their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers following their stunted start to the round robing campaign. Many pundits knows Finidi's chances to turn around the table is slim. 

Despite what looked like a consensus among the Nigerian football public and stakeholders on the chances of Finidi grabbing the plum job, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), after considering a couple of factors, chief among which was his earlier position as assistant to erstwhile manager, Jose Peseiro, picked the former Ajax Amsterdam winger ahead of other reportedly more experienced coaches in what some critics said was NFF’s ploy to use Finidi as an alabi for their sinister intentions. 

By Saturday morning and indeed, by Tuesday morning on the press and social media burst out will determine the beginning or the end of Finidi's time as Super Eagles head coach. 

Well, the ball is now on his hands to cement his job and to win the heart of doubting Nigerians. One thing I think is going to work right for Finidi will be the well selected backroom staff. But will they have time to work together or will Finidi be laid off, just the way he was let in? Only time will tell.