Ex-Nigeria defender backs Finidi despite his preferred candidate Amuneke snubbed for Super Eagles job  

Former Nigeria defender Mobi Oparaku believes Finidi George and former Barcelona forward Emmanuel Amuneke would have been a perfect fit for the Super Eagles coaching crew.

Both were in the running to be named as coach of Nigeria but George eventually beat the 1994 African Footballer of the Year to the position, replacing José Peseiro who left the position upon the expiration of his contract in March.

He was said to have been chosen ahead of Amuneke and others due to his familiarity with the side, having worked as an assistant coach under Peseiro and was part of the coaching crew that led Nigeria to the final of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Speaking to New Telegraph,Oparaku revealed that Amuneke would have been a good choice but has also given his backing to Geroge to succeed as the coach of the 2013 AFCON winner.

"I have to admit, I never expected the NFF to overlook Amuneke when considering local coaches," Oparaku told the New Telegraph.

"Personally, I think he would have been an excellent choice, and if I were in charge, I would have gone with him.

"I truly believe that Amuneke and Finidi would have made a great team, and I would have been overjoyed if they had been selected. In fact, I think it would have been the best thing to happen to Nigerian football in the past decade or so.

"Nevertheless, we will continue to support Finidi and the Nigerian team."

Finidi was in charge of the Super Eagles as an interim coach during the last international break when they faced Mali and Ghana in back-to-back friendlies. 

He is set to take charge as the substantive tactician when Nigeria face South Africa and Benin in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers in June.

Finidi's immediate priorities will be to qualify the three-time African Champions for the World Cup and also the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com