Though not the result expected by fans and the Super Eagles team, Coach Finidi George, has advised fans to reduce their criticism and allow him and his team to do their jobs.
Nigeria drew against South Africa, to secure only 3 points in three matches in the 2026 World Cup Qualifier, on Friday, June 7.
George said though the team and he wished for a win to secure the three points, fans should allow them make technical decisions concerning players playing time and selection.
Reacting to questions from journalists, in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom, Finidi said, “We wanted to introduce Boniface and Moffi, but Semi had a knock and we had to take him off and introduce Moffi and Onyedika.
“The fans and media would shout for different players, if they don’t perform well, the shout will be, take him off. Allow us to do our jobs.
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Also reacting to performances of Iheanacho and Onuachu, Finidi said players do have bad days. Addressing the performance of former Leicester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, Finidi said, “Players do have a bad day, he did not get into the game quickly. He will bounce back.”
On Genk’s striker, Onuachu, George said, “No one will tell me when to make changes, the crowd can be shouting. Everyone is a coach, when you stand outside you see, but when you sit there you don’t see anything.
“Onuachu stayed longer in the game, it was our decision, that should not bother anyone.”
The former Super Eagles player said he was not under pressure due to the one-one draw against the Bafana Bafana boys, but assured the next qualifier game against Benin Republic in Cote d’Ivoire, on June 10, would take a new turn.
“I am relaxed, I am not shaky. We know what is at stake. We know we want to qualify. We dropped a point and that should not break us, a positive result will change the narrative,” Adepoju Tobi, a sports journalist quoted Finidi.