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Finidi George

George Finidi (born 15 April 1971), known as Finidi George,[1] is a Nigerian professional football coach and former player who was most recently the head coach of the Nigeria national football team. As a player, he played as a right winger.

Finidi George
Personal information
Full name George Finidi
Date of birth (1971-04-15) 15 April 1971 (age 53)
Place of birth Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1989 Calabar Rovers
1990 Iwuanyanwu Nationale
1991–1993 Sharks
1993–1996 Ajax 85 (18)
1996–2000 Betis 130 (38)
2000–2001 Mallorca 31 (5)
2001–2003 Ipswich Town 35 (7)
2004 Mallorca 14 (0)
Total 295 (68)
International career
1991–2002 Nigeria 62 (6)
Managerial career
2021–2024 Enyimba
2024 Nigeria
Medal record
Representing  Nigeria
Africa Cup of Nations
Winner 1994 Tunisia Team
Runner-up 2000 Ghana & Nigeria Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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.

Career as a player

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Ajax

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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 A.C. Milan.[3]

Real Betis

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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

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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. He retired from the game in the summer.

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

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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.

Career as a coach

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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 Nigerian 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

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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

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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

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Club

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[31][32]
Club Season League National Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Ajax 1993-94 Eredivisie 27 4 – 4[a] 0 – 31 4
1994-95 30 8 – 10[b] 1 1[c] 0 41 9
1995-96 29 6 – 12[d] 2 2[e] 0 43 8
Total 86 18 – 26 3 3 0 115 21
Real Betis 1996-97 La Liga 36 10 6 1 – – 42 11
1997-98 34 9 4 2 5[a] 1 – 43 12
1998-99 36 11 1 0 6[f] 2 – 43 13
1999-2000 24 8 – – – 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 – 4[f] 1 – 29 7
2002-03 First Division 10 1 – 5[f] 0 2[g] 0 17 1
Total 35 7 – 9 1 2 0 46 8
Mallorca 2003-04 La Liga 14 0 – 3[f] 0 – 17 0
Career Total 296 68 15 5 49 7 5 0 365 80
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
  2. ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in Johan Cruyff Shield
  4. ^ Two appearances, one goal in UEFA Super Cup, Ten appearances, one goal in UEFA Champions League
  5. ^ One appearance in Intercontinental Cup, One appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield
  6. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  7. ^ Appearance(s) in English League Cup

International

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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 1
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 27 July 1991 National Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria   Burkina Faso 7–1 7–1 1992 African Cup of Nations qualification [34]
2 27 February 1993 Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, Nigeria   Congo 2–0 2–0 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification [35]
3 8 October 1993 Stade du 5 Juillet, Algiers, Algeria   Algeria 1–0 1–1 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification [36]
4 30 June 1994 Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, USA   Greece 1–0 2–0 1994 FIFA World Cup [37]
5 23 January 1999 Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria   Burundi 2–0 2–0 2000 African Cup of Nations qualification [38]
6 3 February 2000 National Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria   Morocco 1–0 2–0 2000 African Cup of Nations [39]

Managerial

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As of 30 August 2024[40]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
P W D L Win %
Enyimba 15 September 2021 12 May 2024 65 29 15 21 044.6
Nigeria 29 April 2024 15 June 2024 2 0 1 1 000.0
Rivers United 4 July 2024 Present 0 0 0 0 !—
Total 67 29 16 22 043.3

Honours

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Club

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Ajax

Betis

International

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Nigeria

References

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  1. ^ a b Winter, Henry (21 September 2001). "On the Spot: Finidi George". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  2. ^ "Enyimba officially unveils Finidi George as head coach". 15 September 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Kluivert strikes as Ajax force changing of the guard". UEFA. 24 May 1995. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  4. ^ Roldan, Santiago (10 July 1996). "El Betis paga 1.024 millones por Finidi y se lo arrebata al Madrid" [Betis pay 1.024 million for Finidi and snatch him from Madrid]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  5. ^ a b Domènech, Joan (29 June 1997). "Barça de titanes" [Titanic Barça]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  6. ^ "Profile: Finidi". realbetisbalompie. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Profile: Finidi". realbetisbalompie. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  8. ^ Coerts, Stefan (22 March 2012). "Finidi George: I almost joined Real Madrid in 1996". Goal. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  9. ^ "Finidi passes Ipswich medical". BBC Sport. 4 August 2001. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  10. ^ "Finidi agrees Ipswich move". BBC Sport. 16 August 2001. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  11. ^ Thorpe, Martin (22 August 2001). "Finidi kick-starts Tractor Boys". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  12. ^ Heffernan, Conor (19 May 2015). "The rise and fall of Ipswich in the Premier League". These Football Times. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  13. ^ "Finidi returns to Spain". BBC Sport. 18 November 2003. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  14. ^ "Finidi returns to Mallorca". BBC Sport. 8 January 2004. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  15. ^ "Finidi George: I am proud to be back in Real Betis". All Nigeria Soccer. 18 November 2010. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  16. ^ a b Bobrowsky, Josef; Stokkermans, Karel; Mazet, François. "African Nations Cup 1994". RSSSF. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  17. ^ a b Courtney, Barrie. "African Nations Cup 2000 – Final Tournament Details". RSSSF. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  18. ^ a b Bobrowsky, Josef; Mazet, François. "African Nations Cup 1992". RSSSF. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  19. ^ a b Duret, Sébastien. "African Nations Cup 2002 – Final Tournament Details". RSSSF. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  20. ^ Finidi George – FIFA competition record (archived)
  21. ^ "Top 10 dodgy goal celebrations". The Daily Telegraph. 11 November 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  22. ^ Carter, Jon (26 May 2010). "First XI: World Cup celebrations". ESPN Soccernet. Archived from the original on 3 June 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  23. ^ Obayiuwana, Osasu (30 December 2001). "Finidi quits after World Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  24. ^ "Finidi George joins Enyimba as new head coach". EnyimbaFC.net. 15 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  25. ^ "Enyimba officially unveils Finidi George as head coach". 15 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  26. ^ Olorunfemi, Victor (11 June 2023). "NPFL Super 6: Enyimba clinch record ninth league title". Peoples Gazette. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  27. ^ Harris, Jay (29 April 2024). "Finidi George: Ex-Ajax and Ipswich Town winger named Nigeria head coach". The Athletic. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  28. ^ "Nigeria name Finidi George as manager". Reuters. 29 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  29. ^ "How Finidi George beat Amuneke, odas to emerge new Super Eagles coach". BBC. 29 April 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  30. ^ Potts Harmer, Alfie (3 July 2017). "All-time greatest Nigeria squad". Here Is The City. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  31. ^ Finidi George at BDFutbol. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  32. ^ Finidi George at Soccerbase
  33. ^ "Finidi George". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  34. ^ "Nigeria vs. Burkina Faso". National Football Teams. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  35. ^ "Nigeria vs. Congo". National Football Teams. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  36. ^ "Algeria vs. Nigeria". National Football Teams. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  37. ^ "Greece vs. Nigeria". National Football Teams. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  38. ^ "Nigeria vs. Burundi". National Football Teams. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  39. ^ "Nigeria vs. Morocco". National Football Teams. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  40. ^ Finidi George at Sofascore. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  41. ^ "1995/96 AFC Ajax 1–1 Juventus, Juve win 4–2 on pens: Report". UEFA. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
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