TheCable

Finidi George, the newly-appointed head coach of Enyimba, says he accepted the role over residing in Europe because he had longed to return and aid football development in Nigeria.

The 50-year-old ex-Super Eagles midfielder was on Wednesday appointed as a replacement for Fatai Osho, the former coach, whose contract ran out in August.

The ex-international, who retired in 2004, has a UEFA A Coaching Licence, which is one level below the highest qualification in Europe, the Pro Licence.

The qualification had earned him roles in La Liga’s Real Betis and Real Mallorca as director of international football and youth team coach, respectively.

Speaking with the BBC on Friday, George said he opted for a return home to invest the knowledge he has gathered in Europe and help develop football in the country.

“After all that we learnt in Europe, we have to come home and contribute to the development and progress of our football,” he said.

“We can’t always wait for others to do things for us just by giving us the opportunity; we have to look for a chance ourselves.”

Enyimba is the most successful Nigerian club on the continent, winning two consecutive CAF Champions League trophies in 2003 and 2004.

However, the club’s fortune has dipped with a paltry one trophy in the last six years and continuous flounders on the continent.

Speaking further, George, while admitting that the task at Enyimba will be “challenging”, added that now is the “best time” to return The People’s Elephants “to where they belong.”

“This is the best time for me to be back. Enyimba is a very big club in Nigeria, and they’ve been looking to restore the lost glory. I will do my best to take the club to where they belong,” he said.

“Nothing good comes easy. It’s going to be a big challenge, but we will put in more effort and get the boys to do a great job – get them fit, get a good formation so we can bring the best out of the players.

“The first season is to go for everything, compete strongly in every competition and see where that can take us.”

George’s first competitive game in charge of Enyimba will be against Senegal’s Diambars FC in the CAF Confederation Cup in October.