Remo Stars FC defender Sodiq Ismail has expressed his disappointment at Finidi George’s resignation as the head coach of the Super Eagles,
Ismail, who made his debut for the national team under Finidi during the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic, shared his thoughts in an interview with SportsBoom.com.
“I’m saddened by the coach’s resignation,” Ismail said.
“However, I hope to learn from the new manager and his team when they come on board,” he added.
Finidi left his Super Eagles role in June after two games in charge. In the wake of the team’s poor performance in two 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and the Benin Republic, the Nigeria Football Federation resorted to hiring a foreign technical adviser for the team.
Ismail, nicknamed “Nigeria’s Daniel Alves” for his attacking prowess, praised Finidi’s clear instructions during his debut match in the Eagles 2-1 loss to Benin in Ivory Coast, saying, “The coach’s instructions for me in the game were simple and clear. He told me, ‘Ismail, when you have the ball, just deliver it inside the box.”
Finidi has since been appointed the new head coach of Nigeria Premier Football side Rivers United.
Ismail also noted similarities between Finidi’s coaching style and that of his club coach at Remo Stars, Daniel Ogunmodede, suggesting a smooth transition into the national team set-up under the former coach’s guidance.
Despite the disappointment, Ismail remains optimistic about his future with the Super Eagles. “It was an honour to represent my country, and I believe it will significantly benefit my career,” he stated.
The defender’s call-up to the national team came after an impressive 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League season, where he recorded 13 assists and one goal, making him one of the standout players in the Nigerian topflight, particularly known for his attacking contributions from the defensive
line.
