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Enyimba coach, Finidi George, in this interview with JOHHNY EDWARD, talks about how he masterminded his team’s league triumph, the chances of Super Eagles winning the AFCON title and qualification for the World Cup in 2026
How do you feel winning the Nigerian Football Professional League with Enyimba in your second season with the team?
I think winning the league was an exceptional feat for me and the team. I know it’s not that easy to win it every year, but I think it is awesome that we were able to win it after a difficult season. So, I was happy about it. I think the players did so well, to even have gotten to that Super 6 and at the end of the playoffs win it. It was fantastic for the players and for me as coach of the team.
What are the challenges as coach of Enyimba?
Like every other club in the league, I think we all had our challenges too. Some are enormous, while some are less, but I think every club in the league has one or two challenges. It all matters on how you go about it. As a team, we had our challenges but the players were committed, motivated and in our little way from the technical crew, we did all we could to motivate the players, get them to stay focused all through the season. It was not an easy task, but at the end of the day, the players and the coaches achieved their aim by winning the league. The team had issues with unpaid monies to deal with last season, but as a team we looked at the bigger picture, which was to win a title at the end of the campaign. The players bought into that idea and at the end of the season we won the NPFL title. It was not easy convincing the players, but we all tried against all odds to triumph. The players made a lot of sacrifices and I’m glad that it paid off. Now, the valuation of these players has risen because of the title they won. I made the players know that if they put in their best they will succeed.
How did you overcome these challenges to land the NPFL title?
It was not easy overcoming those obstacles, it was a difficult one. When you talk about challenges like the monetary aspect of it, it’s not easy, but it’s achievable when you have good man-management skills to make sure you get everybody involved mentally, psychologically and physically. I did my part as a coach to make sure we think less about the money and think more about the ultimate goal of winning the championship. Today, all the players
can say they are league champions in Nigeria and not everybody who starred in the NPFL can say that about their playing career. Like I said, it is not easy when you talk about money. That was the biggest challenge for the players.
At what stage during the Super 6 did you feel Enyimba could lose the title?
I did not see Enyimba losing the title, but at some point during the course of the playoffs, I felt it was going to be difficult and the reason was that we had to play Lobi Stars in an early kickoff in our second game after we had played a late game against Remo Stars, which was very pulsating. Also, our results against Insurance and Rivers United, which ended in 1-1 draws, gave me something to worry about at that time but fortunately for us other teams in contention for the title like Rivers and Remo did not win their games as well. It was at that point that I knew things would fall in line for us. If they had won, Enyimba will not be talking about the title or it would have been difficult to win it.
How would you rate the level of competitiveness of the NPFL?
I think the competitiveness is excellent because you had six teams trying to win it. Most people don’t like the abridged league because it is a dangerous one, if you lose two games, you can find yourself in a difficult position. If you talk about the competitiveness, I think the abridged league is more competitive than the regular 38-games league season because in the abridged league, you know you cannot lose two games in a row. So, that brings out the competitiveness in everything that you do while in the other format, a lot can happen and change over the course of the league. Personally, I like the abridged league, even though we know it is a little bit risky. But I believe it’s more effective and competitive because when you get to the Super 6 playoffs, every game is a must win.
Reports have it that talks are ongoing to extend your deal at Enyimba, how true is this?
My contract is still running and I’m not worried about my future. It’s not a problem. I’m still Enyimba coach, except something drastic happens.
What do you make of your ex-teammate at Ajax Nwankwo Kanu’s appointment as new chairman of the club?
I’m not in a position to speak on that. It’s official, Kanu is the new club chairman, and for me as a coach I will do my job and leave the rest. I will work with him to do my best. That’s all I can say.