Findi George, Super Eagles of Nigeria interim manager, has declared the friendly fixture against the Black Stars of Ghana as anything but a friendly match, emphasising the intensity of the long-standing rivalry between both African football powerhouses.
Nigeria vs Ghana is slated for 2 pm (WAT) on Friday, March 22, at the Grand de Stade Marrakech in Morocco. The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) runner-up will also take on Mali in another friendly match on Tuesday, March 26.
In a conversation with thenff.com, George said the Super Eagles’ principal objective heading into the fixtures is to grab positive results and exceed their status as Africa’s third-best men’s national team.
“We finished in second place at the Africa Cup of Nations and everyone expects us to maintain that high rating and be even better in a short while. Our objective is to get good results in these two matches and stay positive ahead of the World Cup qualifiers,” George said.
The Enyimba FC manager added, “They call it friendly matches but there is really nothing friendly when you play, especially Ghana.
“I have been involved in matches against Ghana since the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal. Matches between our countries are serious duels and are always seen as battles by our people. The Black Stars did not perform that well at the recent Africa Cup of Nations and they will be keen to banish that memory.”
The match against Ghana will be Nigeria’s first game after losing the AFCON 2023 trophy to Côte d’Ivoire. With the exit of Jose Peseiro, Finidi George has been saddled with the responsibility of managing the team for the two friendlies.
Multiple sources claim a convincing performance from the 52-year-old might see the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) appoint him permanently.
Nigeria vs Ghana is slated for 2 pm (WAT) on Friday, March 22, at the Grand de Stade Marrakech in Morocco. The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) runner-up will also take on Mali in another friendly match on Tuesday, March 26.
In a conversation with thenff.com, George said the Super Eagles’ principal objective heading into the fixtures is to grab positive results and exceed their status as Africa’s third-best men’s national team.
“We finished in second place at the Africa Cup of Nations and everyone expects us to maintain that high rating and be even better in a short while. Our objective is to get good results in these two matches and stay positive ahead of the World Cup qualifiers,” George said.
The Enyimba FC manager added, “They call it friendly matches but there is really nothing friendly when you play, especially Ghana.
“I have been involved in matches against Ghana since the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal. Matches between our countries are serious duels and are always seen as battles by our people. The Black Stars did not perform that well at the recent Africa Cup of Nations and they will be keen to banish that memory.”
The match against Ghana will be Nigeria’s first game after losing the AFCON 2023 trophy to Côte d’Ivoire. With the exit of Jose Peseiro, Finidi George has been saddled with the responsibility of managing the team for the two friendlies.
Multiple sources claim a convincing performance from the 52-year-old might see the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) appoint him permanently.
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