By 

Ezindu Okay - Lawrence 

 

There has been numerous reactions trailing the announcement of former Super Eagles mercurial wing wizard, Finidi George as the substantive manager of the most sophisticated and most expensive national team on the African continent - the Super Eagles of Nigeria. 

The announcement was greeted by applause from numerous stakeholders in the football industry in Nigeria including yours truly. I had made known my acceptance and support for the appointment through an article where I pointed out that I had wished for a grade 'A' European coach for developmental  purposes; one who could be understudied by a select few of our younger indigenous coaches with super interest and brilliance but who still have longer years in their careers with a view to patiently under-study and subsequently take over after a few years. I had actually emphasized that these individuals must be young, zealous, vibrant and success-hungry but above all, must show a deep-rooted desire to take the world by storm. This would afford that pool of coaches to develop our own style of football identity blending it with firsthand knowledge gained from the time spent with a top quality gaffer in the mould of José Mourinho, Mikel Arteta, Xavi Alonso,  Thomas Zerbri Xavi Hernandez or any other young coach currently shaping the football dimensions in Europe. 

However, I do understand the constraints our country have at the moment which I would largely blame on the inability of those who manage our football. It has become a difficult task for them to creatively make the national team marketable to the point of attracting private companies and individuals who would gladly invest their resources in football development in Nigeria. 

These things are not rocket science; they are practically achievable if a quality think-tank group is set up to develop a blueprint (not loot) what is made available. Enough of this digression already as this topic of looting in Nigerian football will be on the plate for an elaborate synopsis another day.

As the dust now settles with the announcement of the man on whose shoulders the qualifications for the 2028 World Cup and next AFCON rests, and as majority of Nigerians favour a homegrown indigenous coach, plus the NFF technical committee strangely being considerate enough to the emotions and feelings of the people (an act I give them kudos for unlike the federal govt' led by APC),  they made the best choice within the financial circumstances and situation. 

There was no better choice than Finidi George at the moment. Mr. Finito as fondly called by close friends has in the last few years shown his qualities and abilities. 

Finidi George is one of the most humble personalities you can think about. He is down-to-earth, gentle and meek in the mould of Kanu 'Papillo' Nwankwo. He is a very calm head and one who achieved great heights in his playing career with top European teams.

Not only that. This guy Finidi George came down and took the challenge of the NPFL - our infamous League, by taking up the gauntlet at Enyimba (the most successful team in Nigeria), bearing the pressures of the job and all the difficulties attached with managing in the Nigerian League. 

He humbled himself, took the job, lived among us, travelled the lengths and breaths of the nation as his team went round to play at various home grounds. 
The import of this is that, he had actually been involved in travelling with players in their buses,  enduring it all, and subsequently delivered by winning the league title last season. 

He didn't stop there. When he was appointed as an assistant to the former head coach of the Super Eagles Jose Peseiro, he accepted the job and took it seriously while seeing it as an opportunity to serve the nation. Finidi served humbly in the most decent way assisting Peseiro in such a professional way and ensured that we did not read or see any disagreements, squabbles and disarray in the camp at any time during those months. 

Finidi's ability to play a supporting role shows he has the quality to be a good leader. Reason is, I have learnt that most great leaders were great followers and assistants (in a way). FINIDI George deserves his appointment and flowers. I give it to him. Let it not leave our consciousness that he is soft-spoken, intelligent and a humble strategist; adjudged at one point in his career as the best winger and ball crosser in the world. This guy is a silent achiever and I'm sure that given the full support of the NFF, the free hand and sole rights to make his own calls, he will succeed with the Super Eagles. It is in the interest of Nigeria that he does succeed.

Now that the appointment has been made, who is going to assist him to play a vital role in building a formidable team for the  the nation?  

We need someone to play the same role FINIDI played for PESEIRO. Someone who has quality and who can bring something to the table; a sound tactical mind who is not just an "O YES" person but one who looks critically at tactics, formations and events and can be able to pre- conceive dangers and proffer solution to the benefit of the team. It has to be someone with track records of honesty and commitment who sees the job as a service to the nation no matter what title it bears. I think the name that fits this in my mind is *EMMANUEL AMUNIKE.*

There is no better opportunity for Coach Emmanuel Amunike to show his true love, honour and loyalty to his fatherland than this. He has to offer himself to assist his former teammate and friend to BUILD a team the nation can be proud of and other Africa/ world nations can dread. 

This is the time to show that commitment. I am sure if EA was appointed the headcoach of the Super Eagles, he would have accepted it. I know how much he wanted the job to showcase what he has to offer. I think for the love of country and football, Coach Emmanuel Amunike can still contribute to our development by assisting FINIDI.

 I will also add (to show that it wasn't about the position and the pride of it. I think it is just fitting that he is given the opportunity to assist while the NFF makes concerted effort to offer the job to him and let's see his disposition. This is a call to service. If you desired to be the Chief Coach, you can as well serve as the assistant first. That's where Finidi George also started from  unless if it was not about offering service to motherland in the first place. And to be honest, many of us will see and understand this deeper if that was not the case. 

I know at the moment Coach Emmanuel Amunike is not engaged with any team. It will be just right that he comes into the fold as this will be a preparatory period for him as he waits the opportunity to be confered the main guy with time possibly after FINIDI GEORGE'S tenure. 

This will just be the right thing to do now to win the hearts of Nigerians and be endeared to them. 

Unless otherwise.

These are my thoughts. 
And I think I made a whole lot of sense.

Greetings and again, congratulations Finidi George, the new gaffer.

*-Ezindu Okay-Lawrence (ACFF)*
*OfficerCoach.*
*Grassroots Development Coach and Instructor* 
*+2348036594617*
*coachokaylawrence@gmail.com