Finidi George

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Template:Short description Template:Use Nigerian English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography Finidi George (born 15 April 1971) is a Nigerian professional football coach and former footballer who played as a winger.[1]

After making a name for himself at Ajax in the Netherlands – being a leading figure in a team which won eight major titles, including the 1995 Champions League – he played several years in Spain with Real Betis,[2] also having a brief spell in England before retiring. Finidi was a member of the Nigeria team during the 1990s, appearing in two World Cups.

Club career

Ajax

Born in Port Harcourt, Finidi played for three clubs in his country. In 1993, he arrived at AFC Ajax alongside compatriot Nwankwo Kanu. His impact with the Amsterdam side was immediate as he scored four goals in 27 games to help them win the Eredivisie title, which was also achieved in the following two seasons; additionally, as a starter, he appeared in consecutive UEFA Champions League finals, winning the 1994–95 edition against AC Milan.[3]

Real Betis

On 10 July 1996, Finidi moved to Spain and signed with Real Betis for 1,024 million pesetas or 6 million euros,[4] where he netted in three digits in nearly every season, with the Andalusians finishing fourth in his first year, which also brought a Copa del Rey final loss to FC Barcelona (2–3 after extra time), where he scored. [5] Real Betis has deemed the Nigerian as one of their most spectacular signings; he played an illustrious part in a magnificent team consisting of Alfonso, Robert Jarni, Alexis, Roberto Ríos, and Juan Merino.[6] While at the club, Finidi was consecrated with the nickname: "the playful shadow."[7] Prior to joining Real Betis, he was close to moving to Real Madrid, but the deal fell through.[8]

Mallorca and Ipswich Town

After Betis' relegation from the top flight in 2000, Finidi stayed one more year in Spain with RCD Mallorca, after which he joined Premier League team Ipswich Town, managed by George Burley,[9] for £3.1 million.[10] He scored twice in a 3–1 victory over Derby County at Portman Road[11] but underperformed overall, with them also suffering relegation; he was released from contract in June 2003.[12]

In November 2003, the 32-year-old Finidi underwent a trial at former club Mallorca,[13] following which he signed with the Balearic Islands team,[14] helping them finally finish in 11th position after constantly battling relegation.

In mid-November 2010, Finidi returned to Betis as its director of international football. He continued, however, to live in Palma, Majorca, where he had relocated to after his retirement.[15]

International career

Finidi made his debut for Nigeria in 1991, in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burkina Faso, providing three assists for Rashidi Yekini and scoring once in a 7–1 rout. He helped the national team win the 1994 edition of the tournament in Tunisia,[16] and also achieved one second[17] and two third-place finishes.[18][19]

Finidi represented Nigeria in two FIFA World Cups, 1994 and 1998.[20] In the former, held in the United States, as the national team won their group and exited in the round of 16 against eventual finalists Italy, he scored against Greece in a 2–0 win, proceeding to mimick a urinating dog whilst celebrating.[21][22]

In the 1998 tournament in France, Finidi also played in all the matches, with Nigeria meeting the same fate at the hands of Denmark. He had already vowed to quit international football prior to the competition,[23] and earned a total of 62 caps.

Managerial career

In September 2021, Enyimba F.C. named Finidi as their new head coach.[24][25] He won his first title as a coach on the 11th of June 2023, winning the Nigeria Premier League at Onikan Stadium in Lagos.[26]

In April 2024, he was appointed coach of the Nigeria national football team.[27][28]

Before this appointment, He was the assistant coach to Jose Peseiro and was the Interim coach who led the Super Eagles to beat Ghana 2-1 ending 18 years of unsuccessful attempts to defeat the Black Stars.[29]

Style of play

Considered to be one of Nigeria's greatest wingers, Finidi was a physically strong and tall player who was known for his deceptively rapid pace, accurate crosses and efficient dribbles. He was also known for his accurate free kicks. Finidi was not only known for his technical abilities, but he also possessed a unique footballing brain and solid dribbling skills.[30]

Personal life

The name Finidi translates into English as "a future full of sun". Two of his 11 brothers, Igeniwari and Celestine, were also footballers, and the former was killed during crowd problems in a match.[1]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[31][32]
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Ajax 1993–94 Eredivisie 27 4 3 2 — 4Template:Efn 0 — 34 6
1994–95 30 8 3 0 — 10Template:Efn 1 1Template:Efn 0 44 9
1995–96 29 6 1 1 — 10Template:Efn 1 4Template:Efn 1 44 9
Total 86 18 7 3 — 24 2 5 1 122 24
Betis 1996–97 La Liga 36 10 6 1 — — — 42 11
1997–98 34 9 4 2 — 5Template:Efn 1 — 43 12
1998–99 36 11 1 0 — 6Template:Efn 2 — 43 13
1999–2000 24 8 0 0 — — — 24 8
Total 130 38 11 3 — 11 3 — 152 44
Mallorca 2000–01 La Liga 31 5 4 2 — — — 35 7
Ipswich Town 2001–02 Premier League 25 6 0 0 0 0 4Template:Efn 1 — 29 7
2002–03 First Division 10 1 0 0 2 0 5Template:Efn 0 — 17 1
Total 35 7 0 0 2 0 9 1 — 46 8
Mallorca 2003–04 La Liga 14 0 0 0 — 3Template:Efn 0 — 17 0
Career Total 296 68 22 8 2 0 47 6 5 1 372 83

Template:Notelist

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[33]
National team Year Apps Goals
Nigeria 1991 1 1
1992 9 0
1993 6 2
1994 12 1
1995 1 0
1996 1 0
1997 3 0
1998 7 0
1999 1 1
2000 6 1
2001 8 0
2002 7 0
Total 62 6
Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each George goal.
List of international goals scored by Finidi George
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 Template:Dts National Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria {{ Template:Yesno alias = Burkina Faso flag alias = Flag of Burkina Faso.svg link alias-military = Burkina Faso Armed Forces size = name = altlink = national football team

}}

7–1 7–1 1992 African Cup of Nations qualification [34]
2 Template:Dts Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, Nigeria {{ Template:Yesno alias = Republic of the Congo shortname alias = Congo flag alias = Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg flag alias-1970 = Flag of the People's Republic of the Congo.svg link alias-military = Armed Forces of the Republic of the Congo flag alias-military =Flag of the Armed Forces of the Republic of the Congo.svg link alias-air force = Congolese Air Force Congolese Army link alias-basketball = Republic of the Congo {{{mw}}} national basketball team link alias-volleyball = Republic of the Congo {{{mw}}} national volleyball team size = name = altlink = national football team altvar = football variant =

}}

2–0 2–0 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification [35]
3 Template:Dts Stade du 5 Juillet, Algiers, Algeria {{ Template:Yesno alias = Algeria flag alias = Flag of Algeria.svg flag alias-1830 = Flag of France (1794-1815).svg flag alias-1958 = Flag of Algeria (1958-1962).svg flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Algeria.svg link alias-naval = Algerian National Navy link alias-air force = Algerian Air Force link alias-army = Algerian Land Forces flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Algeria.svg link alias-navy = Algerian National Navy link alias-military = Algerian People's National Army size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}}

1–0 1–1 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification [36]
4 Template:Dts Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, USA {{ Template:Yesno alias = Greece flag alias = Flag of Greece.svg flag alias-old = Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg flag alias-1970 = Flag of Greece (1970-1975).svg flag alias-royal = State flag of Greece (1863–1924;1935–73).svg flag alias-otto = Naval Royal Standard of Greece (1858-1862).svg flag alias-army = Hellenic Army War Flag.svg link alias-army = Hellenic Army border-army= flag alias-air force=Fin Flash of Greece.svg link alias-air force=Hellenic Air Force flag alias-royalnavy = Naval Ensign of Kingdom of Greece.svg link alias-naval = Hellenic Navy flag alias-navy = Flag of Greece.svg link alias-navy = Hellenic Navy link alias-military = Hellenic Armed Forces link alias-royalnavy = Royal Hellenic Navy size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}}

1–0 2–0 1994 FIFA World Cup [37]
5 Template:Dts Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria {{ Template:Yesno alias = Burundi flag alias = Flag of Burundi.svg flag alias-1962 = Flag of Burundi (1962–1966).svg flag alias-1966 = Flag of Burundi (1966-1967).svg flag alias-1967 = Flag of Burundi (1967–1982).svg Burundi National Defence Force size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}}

2–0 2–0 2000 African Cup of Nations qualification [38]
6 Template:Dts National Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria {{ Template:Yesno alias = Morocco flag alias = Flag of Morocco.svg flag alias-1666 = Flag of Morocco (1666–1915).svg flag alias-1913 = Flag of Spanish Morocco.svg flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Morocco.svg flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Morocco.svg link alias-naval = Royal Moroccan Navy flag alias-air force = Flag of the Royal Moroccan Air Force.png link alias-air force = Royal Moroccan Air Force flag alias-army = Flag of the Royal Moroccan Army.svg link alias-army = Royal Moroccan Army flag alias-navy = Flag of the Royal Moroccan Navy.svg link alias-navy = Royal Moroccan Navy flag alias-military = Flag of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces.svg link alias-military = Royal Moroccan Armed Forces size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}}

1–0 2–0 2000 African Cup of Nations [39]

Managerial

Template:Updated[40]

Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
P W D L Win %
Enyimba 15 September 2021 12 May 2024

Template:WDL

Nigeria 29 April 2024 15 June 2024

Template:WDL

Rivers United 4 July 2024 Present

Template:WDL

Total

Template:WDLtot

Honours

Ajax

Betis

Nigeria

References

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  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  16. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Template:PAGENAMEBASE – FIFA competition record (archived)Template:EditAtWikidataTemplate:WikidataCheck
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Template:BDFutbol
  32. ↑ Finidi George at SoccerbaseTemplate:EditAtWikidataTemplate:WikidataCheck
  33. ↑ Template:NFT player
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  40. ↑ Template:Sofascore
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External links

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