By

Ezindu  Okay-Lawrence

The last few days, have not been a peaceful one for the embattled ex-Ajax Amsterdam, Real Mallorca and Nigerian Super Eagles coach Finidi George, and it is understandably so.

The weight of managing the most passionate and enthusiastic football fanbase in the African continent can be argued also in the world is not a fairytale. At the moment I do not envy the head coach of the Super Eagles.

First, it was Finidi's appointment that generated so much fuss, for the sole reason that almost everybody that mattered in the football fraternity in the country had their preferred choice for the then-vacant managerial position. Some had their desires in good faith wanting the best for the country, hoping that Nigeria could go one step further after the heroics of the last AFCON, but many were out of selfish and loathing ambitions, lurking around, sniffing, looking for where to hinge and get a cut of the "National Cake". This is the biggest setback for our football in the country. Many sports writers and journalists, opinionists and columnists for reasons known to them would not want to speak on this, though they know the facts. Sad to say.

Now, having started his journey as the head coach of the Super Eagles, Finidi George has not had it smooth after the dust (of his appointment) settled, one would have prayed that the results would favour him and at least help douse the tension and settle him to the position, but alas, it was not written to happen thus, hence the sleepless nights and restlessness for him in the last one week.

Finidi George, a gentle soft-spoken fellow, a reserved personality and introverted human has had to be in the public eye from all corners of the nation, to the point that I, (having spoken to those around him), learnt that he finds it difficult to sleep, and thinks of quitting the job early to have his quiet life. A situation I see as unfortunate.

But, I would say to him, that accepting the job of the Head Coach of the Super Eagles or any sports team in the world comes with a lot of pressures like the one he is going through at the moment, especially when the results are not coming as expected. Top gaffers in the world have at one time or the other had to endure these kinds, and through their faith and belief in their abilities, became celebrated months down the line.

Nigeria has become an impatient society (studies have shown) I guess because of the horrors, the citizens have had to endure at the hands of their political leaders, the nation is breeding a new generation of impatient people who desire and want the magics to happen immediately without delay.

Unfortunately for Finidi, he has become the focal point of the failure witnessed in the past months, while there seems not to be blame directed on the football administrators who ignored a big task of World Cup qualification facing the country, which the preparation ought to have kickstarted immediately after the AFCON, but went playing politics and had to hurriedly make an appointment only a few weeks to the all-important games.

Finidi George is not a novice in the game or administration of football, having had an illustrious career as a player, playing for Sharks of Portharcourt, Ajax Amsterdam, Real Betis, Ipswich Town, Real Mallorca and afterwards ventured into management and coaching.
I still have some faith that when he is fully settled he will get things right, but I am afraid that there will be patience for him to get to that point of settling and freedom to navigate as he wishes.

The decadence in our football has always on the horizon for many years, and many factors and persons could be held responsible for this travail. But, unfortunately, Finidi George being the head coach of the national team is the sacrificial lamb on the altar at the moment, of Crucifixion while the root cause of the issues is left unattended. These root causes I'll be discussing in the second part of this article, and I promise you, that none will be spared I have decided if we must have a long-lasting functional house, then the foundation must be built strong. 

...to be contd...

Watch out for part two where we will name names...

*Ezindu Okay-Lawrence (ACFF)*