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Former Nigeria international, Godwin Okpara, has criticized the impatience of Nigerian football fans in light of the recent resignation of Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George.
Okpara expressed his disappointment over the lack of support and time given to Finidi, which he believes was crucial for the coach to demonstrate his capability to transform the team.
Nigeria’s head coach Finidi George. (Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images)
In a chat with brila.net, Okpara emphasized that the core issue hindering the progress of Nigerian football is the lack of patience from both fans and football authorities.
He argued that success requires time and stability, something he believes Finidi George was not afforded.
“What we lack in this country is patience. Nigerians don’t have that patience. If we can’t get that patience, it means we can’t achieve what we want.”
“How do you want to build a team? How do you want to construct a team without patience? Look at Senegal; how long did it take for Aliou Cissé to become successful with them? They gave him all the time he needed to succeed. If you give someone time and they don’t succeed, then you can sack them,” Okpara stated.
Senegal National team won the AFCON in 2021 and qualified for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups with former player and captain, Aliou Cissé.
He drew parallels with previous instances, such as the tenure of Sunday Oliseh, who also faced similar challenges and eventual departure under a cloud of impatience and lack of support.
Okpara believes that this pattern indicates a broader reluctance to support homegrown talent in coaching roles.
“What happened with Oliseh is exactly what happened with Finidi. For me, it shows that Nigeria doesn’t want a home-based coach at all.
“I don’t believe in bringing foreign coaches or whatever. If you bring in Guardiola, we’re still going to have the same problem. Our problem now is not the coach; it’s the players,” he added.
The NFF are still tight-lipped in the midst of the situation with sources claiming that the football governing body was not aware of the resignation of the Coach.
Antonio Conceição. (Photo by Thor Wegner/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Cameroon’s Belgium coach Marc Brys (L). (Photo by DANIEL BELOUMOU OLOMO/AFP via Getty Images)
