By Imo Mbede
Dear Coach Finidi George
Congratulations on your appointment as the head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles! As an integral member of the Super Eagles’ famous Class of ’94, your rich experience as a player in Europe’s elite football leagues and, more recently, as a coach in the Nigerian League has rightfully earned you this position. This is an excellent opportunity to endear yourself to the Nigerian people further, and I am confident in your ability to make our country proud.
This piece seeks to highlight certain past shortcomings and provide constructive advice. I am not a coach, but one doesn’t need to be a coach to identify problems in a team they follow closely. Any informed observer with a good knowledge of the game can offer insights that can improve any team, given the accessibility to information today.
Our midfield’s lack of inventiveness is one of the most urgent issues you need to address head-on. The midfield is the engine room of any football team; unfortunately, for years now, this crucial department of our team has underperformed in a creative sense. Previous coaches have either struggled or outrightly refused to build a competent midfield, often relying on a few recognisable names playing in Europe instead of digging deep in search of the much-needed creative talent for depth and versatility.
As a result, Alex Iwobi has laboured as the sole creative outlet in the Eagles’ midfield, where others like Joe Aribo have come up short. Here, too, Kelechi Iheanacho has occasionally been forced to play out of position. By casting a wider net, you can discover players who bring the creativity, dynamism, and technical prowess needed to transform our midfield.
There has also been an unjustifiable imbalance, with previous coaches often inviting as many as nine attacking players alongside as few as four mostly defensive midfield players. While we have a wealth of attacking talent, it is crucial to be rational in selecting a balanced squad that includes a sufficient number of creative midfielders.
Another critical issue is the sentimental selection of players based primarily on the leagues they play in. Although not as prevalent as in the past, this practice has deprived the Super Eagles of talented personnel because they are not necessarily in the spotlight. You must make selection decisions based on merit, form, and suitability to the team’s strategic needs rather than the prestige of the league they play in. Despite the inconsistencies in Francis Uzoho’s performance, Dele Alampasu has not been deemed worthy of an invitation since 2020. Kingsley Sokari (a creative midfielder) is another example of a player who has not been given a fair chance, even when his skill sets are sorely needed. This is not to say that they will transform the team automatically, but they deserve a chance, given the lapses in the team.
Similarly, some players who would improve the team have fallen out of favour at their clubs, not because of non-performance but sometimes due to personal issues with coaches and clubs. Kelechi Nwakali is an example. While the national team should not be a rehabilitation ground for players, it is essential to acknowledge and deploy those who can improve the national team, even if they are not currently excelling at their clubs. As a former player, I am sure you understand these situations and can leverage such players for the benefit of the team, as well as giving their careers a lifeline.
Undue influence by football federation officials and other stakeholders has previously led to the inclusion of players based on certain interests rather than their capacity. This is an age-long problem in every facet of the country that is impeding progress. It is, therefore, crucial that you maintain autonomy in your selection process, free from external pressures. You will also need to be decisive in excluding players who have just been making up the numbers but are not meeting the required standards. Jamilu Collins and Sadiq Umar are examples of the latter (no disrespect to them).
The journey ahead will be challenging, especially as you begin from a disadvantaged position in the World Cup qualifiers. However, with the right approach and support, our players have the potential to excel under your guidance. We believe you can lead the team to achieve its rightful place in world football, starting with qualification for the next World Cup.
Nigerians are behind you.
Good luck!
Imo Mbede,
A proud supporter of the Super Eagles.
