Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George, has provided insights into his decision not to play Victor Boniface during Friday night’s match against South Africa.
Initially considering bringing the promising striker off the bench, Finidi explained that the dynamics on the field required a change in plans.
“We thought about bringing him in, he was supposed to come in, but when we had Ajayi complain that he couldn’t continue, we had to reverse that,” Finidi said in a post-match interview on Friday.
This tactical adjustment led to Boniface remaining on the sidelines.
However, Finidi reassured fans that the forward’s chance would come. “We have another game definitely if he’s up and doing he’s going to play,” he promised.
In addressing criticism and demands concerning player selections, Finidi stressed the importance of players’ on-field performance over external pressures.
“For me, it’s what you can give to me on the field of play. Everybody wants this player or that player to play, but at the end of the day, if the player is not performing, you guys will still be shouting take him off, so let us do our job. We know who is good to go,” he asserted.
On Friday, the Super Eagles ended their match against Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a 1-1 draw during the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifier.
Themba Zwane scored for South Africa in the 29th minute of the match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
Nigeria’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru equalized with a low shot to the edge of the post in the 46th minute.
The match concluded in a stalemate, leaving Nigeria in fifth place in a six-team table after three matches in the 10-match competition.
With three draws in three matches, Nigeria aims to improve its standings.
The group winners will secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Additionally, four best-ranked runners-up will enter play-offs, and the winners will join an intercontinental tournament where six nations will vie for two places.
Meanwhile, the match marked Finidi’s debut as the Super Eagles coach.
The Super Eagles are set to face third-placed Benin in Abidjan on Monday June 10.
