In his debut match as head coach of the Super Eagles, Finidi George saw his team secure a 1-1 draw against South Africa in a crucial Group C World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
The result leaves Nigeria in a precarious position, sitting fifth in the group with just three points from three matches.
Reflecting on the game, George acknowledged a slow start but praised his team’s second-half resurgence.
“We entered the game a little bit sloppy in the first half. We didn’t create much,” George noted. “But in the second half, immediately we scored that goal, we took over the game. They had a couple of moments where they threatened, but it wasn’t really clear. I think we had all the shots and all the chances to have won it.”
Nigeria fell behind in the first half after a defensive lapse allowed South Africa to take the lead. The Super Eagles struggled to find their rhythm and were often on the back foot. However, George was particularly impressed with how his team responded after halftime, highlighting their improved performance and control over the game.
“So, overall, it wasn’t a bad second half from the Nigerian side,” George continued. “In the first half, we should have entered the game a bit quicker. It didn’t happen, so we conceded that goal. But the players reacted well in the second half. It’s not the result we wanted, but a draw is better than losing.”
George expressed a mix of disappointment and optimism, recognizing the need for improvement but also taking solace in the second-half performance. “We’ll get our heads up and see how we can win the next match,” he said. “Today, we needed that win and got a draw. So, not happy about the point, but the performance in the second half was really outstanding.”
The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to their next match against Benin Republic on Monday, aiming to climb up the standings and secure a much-needed victory.
