Super Eagles' job is a big one for Finidi - Ndidi

As the Super Eagles prepare for important 2026 World Cup qualifying matches in June, Wilfred Ndidi, a Leicester and Super Eagles of Nigeria midfielder, has given insight on the team’s philosophy and the issues facing new head coach George Finidi.

In an interview with Arise TV on Monday, Ndidi acknowledged the importance of the upcoming games, stating, “Yeah they (the games) are really important because we know where we stand at the moment. it’s not a good position, to be honest, we should be honest with ourselves.”

He emphasised that the team must approach every opponent with utmost seriousness, adding, “As long as you’re in that group you want to qualify so there are no small country or small team.”

The Leicester City star emphasized the strain on the club considering their present position in the qualifiers.

“Where we are at the moment gives us more pressure, because these games are must-win games. I’m not saying we will win the game but I’m saying they are must-win games because we don’t know what’s going to happen but it all bores down to us as a team because we know what is at hand and then we know we have to get as much as we can in these two games just to go up there,” Ndidi said.

Turning his attention to the new head coach, George Finidi, who previously worked as an assistant to former manager Jose Peseiro, Ndidi recognized the significance of the former international’s challenge.

“I would say congratulations to him because uh he’s been part of the team for months now and I think him coming into that role as a manager, I think it is a big one for him.”

Ndidi described Finidi’s difficulties during the team’s friendly matches against Ghana and Mali in Morocco, when he was left to undertake several responsibilities with insufficient backup.

Ndidi said, “But you know when we played in the friendly game in Morocco against Ghana and Mali, I really felt bad for him because he was alone and uh there was no assistant no one to help him. He was basically conducting the training, doing the tactics, even doing games and conducting the warm-up and I think you know we as a group and then seeing him going through all this and still confident with the team it is amazing because with little help from other people coming in I think he’s going to do well.”

Nigeria is currently ranked third in Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, trailing Rwanda and South Africa. Nigeria has played two games and has drawn both.

Finidi, who was revealed to the media in Abuja on May 13, wasted no time laying out his immediate priorities, which include two critical 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin early next month.

Nigeria will face South Africa on June 7, and Benin on June 10.

Speaking to reporters on his immediate task, Finidi said, “Nigeria comes first, that’s what I expect from every player I invite. You have to be playing in your club, and you must have the commitment.

“The first targets are to qualify for the World Cup and AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations), and a win over South Africa will set the tone.”