Celestine Babayaro, Elegbeleye Urge NFF To Appoint Finidi As Eaglets Coach

Celestine Babayaro, Elegbeleye Urge NFF To Appoint Finidi As Eaglets Coach

By Editor

Former Super Eagles and Chelsea Football Club of England defender Celestine Babayaro and former Director General to the National Sports Commission (NSC) Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye have urged the Nigeria Football Federation as a matter of urgency appoint former Super Eagles right wing attacker George Finidi as the new Head Coach of Nigeria's Under 17 National team popularly known as the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria.

The NFF is reorganizing the coaching crew of it's National teams and the football stakeholders like Babayaro and Elegbeleye want the football Federation to give Finidi the chance to handle the Golden Eaglets.

Celestine who rarely talk to the media disclosed to SPORTINGLIFE from his base in Newcastle, England yesterday, "George Finidi is one of the legend I respect a lot. He has done so well in his career for Nigeria and the clubs he has played for like Ajax FC of Netherlands and Real Betis of Spain. He has won 8 leagues and one UEFA Champions League with Ajax. He also helped Nigeria to win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations.

"Now he is back in Nigeria, it's time for Nigeria and Nigerians to give him the opportunity to become the coach he wants to be after playing under many great coaches including Louis van Gaal. He's got the experience from the best managers in Europe. He should by all merits be given a chance to coach any of the Junior national teams in Nigeria", the former Chelsea and Newcastle left back said.

Former Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC) who took over from Dr. Patrick Ekeji, Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye also threw his weight behind Finidi to handle any of the cadets national teams.

"Finidi has done well for Nigeria and for himself in this football business. He is going to be a great benefit for Nigeria if he is appointed as a Head Coach of one of the age grade national teams. He is a great achiever and his loaded CV, achievements and huge experience will be a great benefit for the young players in the Junior national teams.

"His personality will be a morale booster to the young stars. They will see him as a role model because he has done well as a football player. So the Nigeria Football Federation should give him the job because he has intimidating credentials and experience as a former International to do the job well. It shouldn't be contentious at all. Nobody should drag it with him", Elegbeleye concluded.