Interim Super Eagles coach Phinidi George has promised that they will take the international friendlies with Ghana and Mali seriously as they want to make Nigerians proud.
Phinidi said this in an interview with the Super Eagles media manager, Babafemi Raji, even as the team prepares for the two friendly games scheduled to take place in Marrakesh, Morocco.
“The response from the players after the first training session was so good, but we are still waiting for some players to join us in the camp,” George said.
“The players in the camp showed good signs during the first training session, which, however, was not intense, but so far it’s been a very good feeling and the team spirit is good, so I’m happy about that.”
On feeling saddled with the responsibility of handling the Super Eagles for the international friendlies against Ghana and Mali, he said he is ready for the task ahead.
“Certainly as a coach, there’s always one responsibility or the other, but that’s what we’ve chosen, but then, you’ve got to be calm and do your job and do it right,” he said.
“I know a lot of Nigerian fans and football lovers are watching us so we want to make them proud. The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast is done and dusted.
“The international friendlies against Ghana and Mali are two games that are very crucial for Nigeria, so we will take them seriously and also make sure we get the best out of them.”
Nigeria who came second in AFCON 2023 after losing 2-1 to host country Ivory Coast in the final will face Black Stars of Ghana on Friday March 22 and Les Aigles of Mali on Tuesday March 26.
Nigeria will go all out to get revenge on Ghana because when they met in March 2022 in a two-legged play-off for a place at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Black Stars won on away regulation after a 1-1 draw inactive.