'I'm not under pressure' – Finidi George opens up on permanent Super Eagles appointment

Enyimba FC coach Finidi George has stated that he is not desperate to land the Super Eagles job permanently.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) declared the position vacant after parting ways with José Peseiro after the Portuguese gaffer guided the team to the final of the African Cup of Nations.

The NFF advertised the role for interested local and foreign coaches with proven experience at the elite level to apply.

The former Ajax star who was appointed as the interim coach for the friendlies against Ghana and Mali was among the coaches who applied for the role.

He managed a win and a defeat in the two games after beating Ghana 2-1 and losing 2-0 to Mali.

Speaking in an interview with Modo TV, the 52-year-old

“I felt really good when I was told to take charge of the team. I have been with the team for almost two years, I know all the players, their strengths, and their weaknesses but I am only here to serve Nigeria the way I know how to do stuff.

“I will just take these two games and go back to my club. Whatever the decision is taken after, so be it. I’m not under pressure to say I must get the role permanently.”

Speaking on the defeat to Mali, Finidi noted that the team was punished for failing to convert their chances in the game.

“I think we made a few mistakes that cost us the match,” the former winger noted.

“It wasn’t a bad game, good intensity was exhibited and we created a couple of chances but failed to score. In a game like this when you make mistakes and fail to score you get punished but I was happy with the entire play.

“The formation wasn’t bad at all; this is a team that keeps the ball very well. Using two strikers helped us and forced them to play wide. We could have pressed a bit more but overall, we weren’t bad. We know football is all about victory but I am looking at other aspects.

“Not a bad performance, lost one, won one. We were not outplayed and that is a good thing. I think we did so well in the first (half) although I would have loved a different outcome in the second but the players performed well.”

WDN