The interim coach of the senior national team of Nigeria, Finidi George, has shed some light on the formation of his team in the 2-1 victory over West African rivals, Ghana, in Saturday’s international friendly played in the city of Marrakesh, Morocco.
Following Jose Peseiro’s contract expired and was subtly rejected to be renewed, the NFF picked Finidi to lead the squad in the friendly in advance of their World Cup qualifying campaign later in June.
During the game against Ghana, the team was set up just like at the AFCON with three defenders at the back, however, coach Finidi was quick to stress the difference in the application of both tactical approaches.
“We didn’t keep same (formation). I think we play with 3-5-2 but in the AFCON you see it’s only Osimhen and we felt he was doing so much running you know. So we at least wanted some other player to do that. That pair at least will help”, he said at the post-match conference.
“You could see when a player gets the ball there is an opportunity for a pass. So we had to risk it somewhere but we had to get something going forward”, he further accessed.
The team will look towards the game against Mali at the same venue on Tuesday and as expected, Finidi will be hoping to implement some of these tactics.
