Former Super Eagles’ winger, Finidi George (aka Finito) is keeping his fingers crossed over his aspiration for a job in one of Nigeria’s national football teams, megasportsarena.com reports.
Although he was recently overlooked in the choices of coaches for the under-20 squad, Flying Eagles and under-17 side, Golden Eaglets, Finidi believes his time will eventually come, but also admitted he will have to keep putting pressure on top shots of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to look his way.
While not setting any time limit for his expectation to be fulfilled, the former Ajax Amsterdam of Holland, Real Betis of Spain and Ipswich Town of England star stressed that he remains optimistic of getting a national team appointment soon.
The1995 UEFA Champions League winner with Ajax added that he will not get discouraged from his dream of handling one of Nigeria’s national teams, especially at the youth level, and pledged to continue staying positive despite constant snubs by the country’ football authorities.
Although he has already been twice denied the chance of handling the Eaglets, the 49-year-old former winger, who has a UEFA A license which allows him to take charge of youth teams with players up to 18 years, as well as reserve teams and professional second-tier outfits, stressed that he will not shut to door on his dreams.
Finidi, who played for the Super Eagles at two editions of the World Cup, told BBC Sport Africa: “I’m very disappointed but I understand the Nigerian system quite well. It’s a matter of having patience.
“So I’m open to continuing to improve myself with the hope of getting a chance to coach one of the country’s youth teams. When you have the right qualifications, attitude and professionalism, you can only aim for the best and it may even be a chance with the senior side, the Super Eagles, we shall see.
“I was disappointed to be ignored, but only consoled that at the end of the day this is Nigeria. I understand the challenges, I will just wait for when the time is right and the opportunity presents itself again.
“As I continue to look at other options out there, I am open and will not shut the door to Nigeria. I just hope someday that decision will be made and I will be called upon to handle one of the teams. I can only just keep hoping.”
