By VICTOR OKOYE

Former Nigeria forward Finidi George will occupy the chief coach’s corner in the dugout when the Super Eagles confront West African arch-rivals Ghana in an international friendly in Marrakech on Friday.

A statement by Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Tuesday said George had been appointed by the NFF to hold the reins in the meantime.

A group of 22 players are expected to engage Ghana and Mali in this month’s international window.

“On Friday, George, from a family of football stars (elder brother Alari and younger brother Igeniwari of blessed memory were established players), will bellow instructions from the touchline.

“This is coming 21 months after he began to understudy Portuguese José Santos Peseiro, who led the Eagles to runners-up position at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire earlier in the year,” it said.

George, a former Ajax Amsterdam and Real Betis winger, made a scoring debut for Nigeria in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Burkina Faso at the National Stadium, Lagos on July 27, 1991.

On his debut in 1991, George, who also featured for Calabar Rovers and Sharks FC in the domestic scene before heading to Europe, scored one and made four assists for legendary ‘goalsfather’ Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory).

He also assisted the latter to score Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal against Bulgaria in Dallas, USA on 19th June 1994.

Actually, George scored the goal that took Nigeria to her first FIFA World Cup finals, when he put Nigeria ahead against hosts Algeria in a crucial qualifier in Algiers on 8th October 1993.

The match eventually ended 1-1 and earned Nigeria a ticket to the finals in America.

The statement added that, as at Tuesday’s lunchtime, 12 of the 22 players expected had arrived in Morocco’s fourth-largest city.

It said that defenders Gabriel Osho and Tyronne Ebuehi, and forwards Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi having been knocked out by injury.

“At the team’s Adam Park Hotel in Marrakech are goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Olorunleke Ojo, defenders Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Jamilu Collins, Bruno Onyemaechi and Benjamin Tanimo.

“Also are midfielders Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf, and forwards Moses Simon, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Sadiq Umar and Ademola Lookman.

“Others include goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defender Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi, and forward Kelechi Iheanacho were being expected in Marrakech by Tuesday.

“Only Turkey-based defender Bright Osayi-Samuel is being expected on Wednesday,” it stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the African vice champions will take on Ghana on Friday before confronting Les Aigles of Mali at the same Grand Stade de Marrakech on March 26. (NAN)

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