Finidi Backs NPL Players for Super Eagles Last AFCON Qualifier Match

Hails Naija Super 8 Play offs for enriching clubs

Kunle Adewale
 

In support of the outcry in some sections that the Super Eagles last Africa Cup of Nations qualifier dead rubber game against Sao Tome and Principe should be prosecuted with players from the Nigeria Premier League, NPL, Enyimba of Aba sweat merchant and Super Eagles assistant coach, Finidi George has expressed that it would not be a bad idea if about seven home-based players are on parade for the game.

In an interview with THISDAY at the Eket Township Stadium, Akwa Ibom, after he led Enyimba to victory against oriental rival, Heartland of Owerri to qualify for the Naija Super 8 finals in Lagos,

“That would be the decision of the head coach, (Jose Peseiro), whatever the decision is going to take he has now till September when the match would take place to decide. The commencement of the league before the match would also inform his decision. If the league has not started it becomes difficult to select home-based players for the encounter.

“I am of the opinion that these home-based players should be given more opportunities in the national team. It would not be a bad idea if five, six or seven NPL players could join the team for the AFCON proper.

On his opinion of the Nigerian league after working with Enyimba for two years, the former Real Betis of Spain winger said the league was going in the right direction.

“The league still has its shortcomings, but it improved a lot last season. The organisers (Interim Management Committee) should do better next season in terms of funding and officiating.

However, I must commend the referees, they did a good job last season but we still need to take it to the next level where we can say they’ve been very fair. But overall, the league is getting to the level where we want it to be, “ the former defunt Calabar Rovers player expressed.

Reacting to his team’s victory over arch rivals Heartland of Owerri in the Oriental battle in the Naija Super 8 Play offs, Finidi said he was happy with the victory but that Enyimba fell short of the way they play.

“I am happy that we won, but not satisfied with the way we played. We are a team that keeps the ball, but today (last Saturday), we played too many long ball especially in the second half of which I wasn’t satisfied with.

“We lost a little bit of structure, there were some players that were rested, some injured and some players that have not played for the whole season were given playing time today. That might be the reason for the way we played against On what should the Peoples Elephant’s fans expect at the Naija Super 8 finals in Lagos, the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner said:” “When it comes to that kind of game we know how to play it. We will prepare very well for it. Hopefully, some of the rested players would have had enough rest and some of the injured ones would have recovered. We hope to do very well in the Lagos finals,” he said.

“ The aim is to go to Lagos and win the competition but the state of the players is also a concern to me as they’ve not rested and recovered well from last season. If you look at the football calendar we’ve been playing from September till date and from the look of things there will be no break. So, I don’t know how and when these players would be well rested. Its something we have to look at. When fixing a tournament of this nature the player that are going to be involved must get at least three weeks rest. But that goes with every team so we just have to get ourselves together and play the tournament.

Asked if the organisers of the league should continue with the Abridged League or the conventional 38-match format, Finidi opted for the latter, but said it would still not be a bad idea if the first six teams could still converge for a Super Six competition to determine the real champion.

“We can still play the 38-match format and at the end, pick the best six teams and play a kind of play offs. I think that will bring the best out of the clubs that qualify to represent the country in the Champions League and Confederations Cup,” Finidi opined.

He however concluded by praising the organisers (Flykite) and sponsors of the Naija Super 8 Play offs for allowing the clubs to make more money with the tournament.

“The Naija Super 8 is good for the clubs economically. There is more money coming in for clubs which is fantastic,” Finidi concluded.