The likely impact of Victor Osimhen vs George Finidi saga on Super Eagles’ W/C qualification
A string of dismal World Cup qualifying performances has undermined the Super Eagles’ confidence, and they now have to fight to qualify for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026.
Nigeria is currently ranked fifth in Group C after four games, having suffered one loss and three draws. Even though they are only four points behind South Africa in second place and Rwanda at the top of the group, losing to the later in their upcoming qualifier would seriously harm their chances of qualifying.
Nigeria’s national team has plummeted from the heights of the Africa Cup of Nations final to a dismal slump in form, sparking a desperate quest for a revival in fortunes just six months later.
But instead, they has become embroiled in a contentious issue involving former head coach Finidi George and talented striker Victor Osimhen, a player in high demand from top clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal in the Premier League, rather than focusing on their game.
A low-key grumble quickly snowballed into a very public and intense spat, highlighted by Osimhen’s vehement social media outburst, even though a new coach is poised to take the reins for the Super Eagles’ crucial World Cup qualifier against Rwanda in March 2025.
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Nigeria had a disappointing June, opening with a 1-1 stalemate against South Africa in World Cup qualifying game, followed by a shocking upset, falling 2-1 to Benin, a team ranked a staggering 67 places lower in the FIFA world rankings.
Victor Osimhen sat out the two World Cup qualifiers in June due to an ankle injury he reported. The Super Eagles announced via social media that Osimhen would be out for four weeks, prompting Coach Finidi to replace him with Kenneth Igboke on the roster.
Coach Finidi George reportedly criticized Victor Osimhen, accusing him of lacking dedication to the national team during the World Cup qualifiers. Osimhen, enraged, responded with a fiery live rant on Instagram, claiming he had recorded their conversation about his injury and even had evidence to back up his claims. The outburst only ended when a senior friend intervened and persuaded the African footballer of the year to end the live feed.
The controversy surrounding former Super Eagles coach George Finidi and star striker Victor Osimhen has left a lingering impact on the team’s World Cup qualification chances. Although Finidi has resigned, the saga’s aftermath still poses concerns for the team’s unity and morale.
In this article, we’ll explore the likely impact of the Osimhen vs Finidi saga on Super Eagles’ W/C qualification.
This public spat between the two has raised concerns about the team’s cohesion and chances in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers it is already affecting the chances of the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, no doubt.
Osimhen’s importance to the team cannot be overstated. As the team’s top scorer and top player, his absence or lack of focus could significantly impact the team’s chances. If the issue is not resolved, Osimhen’s performance may suffer, and the team’s attacking prowess may be compromised.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) must intervene to resolve the issue promptly. A prolonged feud could lead to a decline in team performance, damaging Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup totally. The NFF must mediate the situation, ensuring that the Super Eagles’ and Osimhen’s focus remains on the qualifiers.
