Interim Super Eagles coach Finidi George is hopeful that the team will maximize the current FIFA break as he leads the team for the first time in two friendly games against Ghana and Mali in Morocco on Friday and next Tuesday.
Nigeria will face Ghana in the initial friendly on Friday at the Grand Stade de Marrakech before clashing with Mali four days later.
The team’s camp started on Tuesday and the former national team player trained 15 of the expected 23 players during their session, with Fenerbahçe defender Bright Osayi-Samuel being the only expected player at the time of reporting on Tuesday.
While also being considered to replace the departed Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, who left after his contract expired earlier this month, Finidi is confident that the team will meet Nigerians' expectations in both games.
“As a coach, there is responsibility and that’s what we do. We have to be calm and do the job properly. Many Nigerians are watching, so, we want to make them proud. The AFCON is over and these are two important games that we will take seriously and ensure we get the best out of them,” said Finidi.
“The players are doing well in training. It’s not too intense because most of them are just arriving. The team morale is good and I'm pleased about it.”
Finidi previously worked as an assistant under Peseiro and is in the running to take over as the NFF looks for a permanent replacement.
Other candidates for the position include US men’s U-19 coach Michael Nsien, 1994 AFCON winner and former Golden Eaglets and Tanzania coach Emmanuel Amuneke, Ndubuisi Egbo, Henry Makinwa, Sylvanus Okpala, Daniel Amokachi and other foreign contenders.
