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Ikpeba Charges Finidi To Harness Potentials In NPFL Players
- Victor Ikpeba endorses Finidi George as Super Eagles coach, highlighting his grasp of the Nigerian domestic league.
- He stresses the necessity of integrating Nigeria Premier Football League players into the national team.
- Ikpeba acknowledges the challenges ahead for Finidi, in the 2026 World Cup qualification.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Victor Ikpeba believes that the newly appointed Super Eagles coach, Finidi George, will leverage his understanding of Nigeria’s domestic league to its fullest potential, offering opportunities to players from the Nigeria Premier Football League at the national level.
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Ikpeba a member of the Nigerian Football Federation Technical Committee, supported Finidi for the Eagles job.
He emphasized the importance of including players from the Nigeria Premier Football League in the national team—a step often neglected by past coaches.
“Being actively involved in Nigerian football, Finidi understands the local talent pool,” Ikpeba said on SuperSport programme, Monday Night Football.
Former super eagles player, Victor Ikpeba
“As the coach of NPFL champions Enyimba, he’s in touch with the domestic scene and will provide opportunities for homegrown talents, just as he once emerged as a star player himself.”
Recalled that the Eagles missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after a heart-wrenching loss to West African rivals Ghana in the World Cup qualification playoffs, falling short on the away goals rule.
Meanwhile, Ikpeba admits the new Eagles coach faces a tough task in the upcoming qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Nigeria, currently ranked third in Group C with two points earned from draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe last November.
However, the Eagles trails behind Rwanda and South Africa in the race for a place in the 2026 World Cup, slated to be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
“In the upcoming matches against South Africa and Benin in June, Nigeria faces crucial fixtures that could define our World Cup aspirations,” Ikpeba said on SuperSport programme, Monday Night Football.
Coach Finidi George with Victor Osimhen in training
“We find ourselves in a challenging position having drawn our initial qualifiers, so securing victories in the upcoming games is imperative.
“With the talents at our disposal, if Finidi can extract the best from the players, qualification is within our reach.”
The Eagles are scheduled to play against South Africa on June 7 in Uyo, followed by a match against Benin in Abidjan two days later.
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However, these games hold significant importance in shaping Nigeria’s journey towards World Cup qualification.
Moreover, Ikpeba disclosed that Finidi has received a one-year contract with the potential for extension.
Although he refrained from providing details regarding the coach’s salary.
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