Sports
Finidi faces real test against Bafana
By Francesca Hangeior.
Just over a month, exactly 39 days after being named the substantive head coach of the Super Eagles, ex-international, Finidi George, will be in the dug out for what can be termed his first major test in charge, as Nigeria hosts South Africa in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying match in Uyo on Friday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
It’s the third game in the series for Nigeria and it will be followed by another tricky test against Benin Republic in Ivory Coast, the Squirrels adopted home ground on Monday.
With only two points from their first two matches, the Super Eagles are third in the Group behind South Africa and Rwanda, meaning Finidi’s task couldn’t have come harder, as he tries to tutor the Eagles back on track.
The 53-year-old seems to know that nothing less than victory is acceptable in the two games, regardless of the fact that South Africa have only beaten the Eagles once in a competitive game.
“We have trained well, the players understand the task. I trust my players and their quality. It’s a must win game,” Finidi during the pre-match interview.
“The AFCON win against South Africa is gone, this is a new game. We have our plans.”
The former Ajax player also seems to have a knack for scaling his first hurdle, bearing in him the result of the first of two friendlies he handled as well as his debut for the national team as a player in 1991.
In March, Finidi, in interim capacity led the team to a 2-1 win over Ghana before losing 2-0 to Mali.
As a player, Finidi made his debut for Nigeria in 1991 during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burkina Faso, providing three assists for Rashidi Yekini and scoring once in a 7–1 rout. His performance in that game perhaps made Nigerians forget the pre-match embarrassment which saw the team play the game with some make shift shorts, which were cut from their tracksuits trousers, after the team’s kitman allegedly forgot their shorts in camp.
“I don’t have anything to prove. I am relaxed, it is football. I want to win, I understand the tasks. I am not scared, I played at the highest and we are going for a win.”
Finidi went on to make 62 appearances for Nigeria scoring two goals while winning the 1994 AFCON as well.
Before the game against South Africa and Benin, the current crop of players in the national team have, no doubt, also tested the resolve of the ex-international with eight of them arriving camp well beyond schedule for the clashes.
The ex-international had just one session with the complete 23-man squad on Thursday, their last session before the game but he insists the team’s plans aren’t disrupted.
“The strike affected just three players, I had enough sessions with the squad,” the coach said.
The English Premier League matchday 33 delivered high drama and significant movements in the table as Chelsea pulled off a last-gasp comeback, Wolves completed a historic double over Manchester United, and Arsenal cruised to a dominant away victory.
Over at Craven Cottage, Fulham suffered a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Chelsea. Enzo Maresca’s side clawed back from a goal down to snatch all three points dramatically.
Chelsea claimed a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon to strengthen their push for UEFA Champions League qualification. Goals from Tyrique George and Pedro Neto in the final 15 minutes turned the tide after Alex Iwobi’s first-half strike had given the hosts the lead.
Chelsea struggled to create clear chances despite dominating possession for large stretches. The Blues lacked composure in the final third, with Pedro Neto seeing a powerful effort blocked by Bernd Leno and Cole Palmer dragging a promising opportunity wide after a clever run into the area.
Alex Iwobi had put Fulham ahead in the 20th minute, but Chelsea responded late. Tyrique George equalized in the 83rd minute before Pedro Neto fired home a stoppage-time winner (90’+3). The victory lifts Chelsea back to fifth, now just two points behind third-placed Newcastle.
At Portman Road, Ipswich Town suffered a humiliating 0-4 defeat at the hands of Arsenal. The Gunners dismantled the Premier League newcomers with a clinical performance.
Leandro Trossard netted twice (14’, 69’), while Gabriel Martinelli (28’) and teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri (88’) also got on the scoresheet. The win keeps Arsenal firmly in the title race and adds to Ipswich’s struggles near the bottom of the table.
At Old Trafford, Manchester United suffered a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Wolves in the Premier League matchday 33. Pablo Sarabia stunned the home crowd with a sublime free-kick in the 77th minute, sealing a second win of the season over United for Wolves.
Note that this is the first time the Midlands club has done the league double over United since the 1979-1980 season. The win puts Wolves level on points with the Red Devils, tightening the race for European spots.
Relegation bound Ipswich was on Sunday hammered 4-0 by Arsenal.
Arsenal from the blast of the whistle meant business when in the 14tth minute through a cross from Bukayo Saka was pulled through by Trossard.
Still in the first half, another pull out by Saka was flipped backward by Trossard to Gabriel Martinelli who netted the second goal in the 29th minute.
Thereafter it was a ding dong affair as Saka missed three major opportunities to increase the tally.
Towards the end of the first half, Ipswich defender, Davis fouled Saka and he was immediately red carded by the referee.
Trossard hits his first brace at the 69th minute when he powered the ball into Ipswich net.
Nwaneri who replaced Saka made it four goals at the 87th minute .
Aston Villa on Saturday dealt terrible blow on Newcastle thrashing the strong side 4-1.
Details shortly…
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