The Guardian (Nigeria)

More home- based players will get opportunit­y to play for Eagles, says Finidi

• ‘ Mexico, Ecuador friendlies are good introducto­ry games for Peseiro’

- By Alex Monye

SUPER Eagles new first assistant coach, Finidi George, has revealed that the new technical crew, led by Jose Peseiro, will give more home- based players opportunit­y to challenge for shirts in the senior national team.

Finidi, who described Nigeria’s forthcomin­g internatio­nal friendlies against Mexico and Ecuador as good introducto­ry games for Peseiro, assured all Nigerian footballer­s that everybody qualified to play for the country, will get the chance to stake his claim to the team, advised the home- based stars to focus on improving their game.

Nigeria will meet Mexico and Ecuador in two U. S. cities on May 28 and June 2 respective­ly.

Speaking on plans for the games, which comes after Nigeria’s failure to qualify for Qatar 2023 World Cup, Finidi said the process of building a new team wouldn’t have been made easier than with two games against two already establishe­d sides preparing for the Copa Mundial.

He added that the games would present Peseiro opportunit­y to assess the players available for selection ahead of the Cote d’ivoire 2023 Africa Cup Of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone next month.

Expressing delight at being given opportunit­y to contribute to Super Eagles’ resuscitat­ion after the failure to qualify for the World Cup, Finidi acknowledg­ed that the task ahead for the Peseiro- led technical crew is enormous, adding, however, that with adequate support from all stakeholde­rs, Nigerians will see an indomitabl­e team.

He assured all the players invited to the national team camp of equal opportunit­y to fight for shirts in emerging team, adding that the Super Eagles would soon return to their old glory.

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