FINIDI George’s hopes of getting the Super Eagles job on a permanent basis were dented late last night as they were beaten 2-0 by Mali in a friendly match in Marrakech, Morocco.
Enyimba head coach Finidi was put in temporary of the Nigeria national team for two friendly matches following the exit of his former boss Jose Peseiro after the AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in February.
The former Super Eagles winger led the team to a 2-1 victory over Ghana in his first game in charge last Friday but a goal in each half in a match that ended around midnight earned Mali victory in Marrakech.
El Bilal Toure gave the Eagles of Mali the lead in the 18th minute when an error from Super Eagles right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel presented him with an easy opportunity.
The depleted Super Eagles team, who were missing several key players including Victor Osimhen, William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina and Frank Onyeka, were outplayed by Mali as the first half ended 1-0 to Mali.
There was an improvement after the break and Kelechi Iheanacho put Cyriel Dessers through on goal around the hour mark but the Rangers striker fluffed his lines.
Mali then sealed a rare win against the three-time African champions when Kamory Doumbia struck with just three minutes left on the clock.
The defeat was only Nigeria’s third to Mali in 12 meetings at senior level, the last one coming in another friendly in 1975 (4-1), 49 years ago.
The Super Eagles have beaten the Eagles of Mali six times, with three of the encounters ending in draws.
The two matches against Ghana and Mali were regarded by some as an audition for Finidi to stake his claim as a worthy successor to Peseiro but it now remains to be seen how the defeat would affect the Nigeria Football Federation’s decision.
