By Adadainfo
Super Eagles assistant coach and champions league winner Finidi George has been described as ‘a disgrace’ following his struggle for the jersey of Portuguese defender Pepe during Nigeria’s dismal outing in a friendly game against Portugal on Thursday.
After the game, which Nigeria conceded four unreplied goals, Mr George, who won the Champions League with Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam, was seen trying to outwit Eagles midfielder Moses Simon over who gets Pepe’s shirt.
The video showed that Pepe gave the shirt to Moses, a development Finidi did not find okay.
A football enthusiast Meletus Obile said, “Finidi was a disgrace. How can he stoop so low to be dragging Pepe’s shirt with Simon, his player? It is unheard of.
“If Finidi didn’t play football at the highest level, I would have forgiven him. But Finidi at a time was the best right outsider in the world. Why then does he have a low self-esteem?”
Nkechi Okwu, a commentator, said, “My grouse is that Mr George was dragging a player’s shirt after Nigeria’s woeful outing. Instead of ruing his poor coaching capacity, he was dragging a shirt with his player. That is why these players don’t respect some of our local caoches.”
A driver in Awka, Ejim Okeke, said, “It is unimaginable. A coach struggling for a shirt! He might not know he would be caught on camera.
“It’s not as if he is hungry because he coaches Enyimba FC, and earns well. I think it is a case of greed. He was angry that Pepe recognised Moses.”
A commentator tweeted, “Finidi George shamelessly begging for Pepe’s shirt is so embarrassing to watch.”
Another tweeted, “These average players & their clueless coach lost scandalously to Portugal, rather than feel remorseful, Finidi George became a beggar overnight fighting for & dragging Pepe’s shirt with Moses Simon… Utterly disgraceful.”
Another fan stated, “Finidi George is an embarrassment. Did you even play the match? Why begging Pepe to give you his shirt like an idiot. Nigerians will embarrass you anywhere they go.”
A clip of the video showed Finidi being angry after Pepe, ex-Real Madrid rock-defender, handed Moses Simon his shirt.
Pepe currently plays for FC Porto in Portugal.
Our correspodent who covered the game in Portugal reports that two first-half goals from Bruno Fernandes and a goal each by Goncalo Ramos and Joao Mario in the second half gave host Portugal a comfortable four-goal wallop over Nigeria, who did not qualify for the World Cup under the then head coach, Augustine Eguavon.
