BY SAB OSUJI

Oldham Athletic Club, England U19s Manager, Chuks Akuneto, has given his thoughts on Finidi George's appointment as Super Eagles substantive head coach, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

Akuneto, a former Nigeria international, reckons that the appointment is a massive lift for Nigeria indigenous coaches who had been long ignored by the NFF in preference to their expatriate counterparts.

Stephen Keshi (now late), an indigenous coach lead the Super Eagles on full-time appointment in 2013 when the Super Eagles won the AFCON in South Africa.

Amidst fierce challenges from top European coaches and indigenous ones, including former Taifa Stars of Tanzania Manager, Emmanuel Amunike, NFF on Monday announced Finidi George as replacement for Portuguese gaffer, Jose Peseiro.

And Akuneto spoke to Exclusivenews.com.ng from his United Kingdom base, describing the appointment as a 'very welcome one'.

"The appointment (of Finidi George as Super Eagles head coach) is a very welcome one", Akuneto opened in a most Frank manner.

"This is because we have for long been asking that a Nigerian should be given an opportunity to lead the Super Eagles after all these years. 

"The fact that Finidi,who played in the Nigerian league and represented the country with distinction is now in charge is a welcome development".

He would go on to solicit for absolute support for the new Super Eagles handler, stressing that only when maximum support is given to him by his employers and Nigerian fans alike that the coach could give his best and for Nigerians to assess his credentials, quality and potential.

"We will hope that Finidi is given every support he needs from the Glass House to do the job and only then can we assess and evaluate his performance during his tenure", Akuneto added as he warns against Interference in the coach's job.

"There will be numerous challenges but the major ones are interference from within the NFF, the political big wigs and other interested parties who will try and pressurise Finidi into buying into their ideas", Akuneto warned, emphasising that Finidi should be allowed free hand to execute his program for the Super Eagle for success to come.