A former Super Eagles and international midfielder, Moses Kpakor, has congratulated George Finidi over his recent appointment as the Coach of the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles.
The former BBC of Gboko described the appointment of Finidi George as a right step in the right direction.
Recall that on Monday, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, announced the appointment of Finidi as the coach of the Super Eagles.
The announcement came after the recommendation of its technical committee announced the appointment of the former international as the head coach of the Super Eagles.
Finidi’s appointed, however, has continued to elicit reactions from Nigerian football stakeholders.
While some have expressed their reservations over his technical competence of the new coach, Kpakor has praised the appointment.
Kpakor who spoke with Daily Trust on Thursday, said Finidi may not be the best but he is the right choice for the job.
According to him, “Finidi been part of the Super Eagles technical crew at the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire understands the players more than other coaches who applied for the position.
“I am so happy for the appointment of Finidi George. Well, not because I feel he was the most qualified. Rather he is suited for the job because he was with the Super Eagles that just finished second at the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire. And as such, he knows the players more than a newcomer who will start from the scratch.
“His appointment is what we call continuity. And thumbs up to the NFF and best wishes to Coach Finidi George,” he said.
However, while congratulating the new national head coach, Kpakor advised him to bring in home based players into the national team. “George should bring in the home based players because this should encourage talented players in the domestic league to fight for shirts in the Super Eagles.”
Recall that Kpakor made a name in the colours of the then Green Eagles when he effectively policed Algerian danger man, Rabah Madjer at the 1990 AFCON in Algeria.
Speaking on the inclusion of home based players, Kpakor said, I will be happy to see local players in the team. He, however, said, such invitations should be based on merit.
“Some of us played for the Super Eagles as home-based players. We were preferred to most of those based abroad because we were better.
“I hope Finidi who is a coach in the NPFL will deem it necessary to give opportunities to the best legs in the league. This will help to polish their games and give them exposure.
“At the moment, Nigerian clubs are not doing well in the continent. But that is not enough for anyone to conclude that there is a dearth of talent in the domestic league,” he said.
source: Daily Trust
