A renowned Sports Analyst, Tayo Balogun  said that the appointment of Finidi George as the Super Eagles head coach was long overdue.

Balogun told the NEWSMEN in Ibadan on Tuesday   that it was surprising that NFF waited this long to make the appointment.

“In view of the Eagles tight schedule, one would have expected that immediately José Peseiro said he was leaving, George should have been upgraded to continue with the plans already on ground.

“Giving all the statistics and all things involved I think there was no choice than to appoint him because he worked with Peseiro for 20 months and also as an interim manager.

“He had earlier coached a football team in Nigeria. He knows the terrain. He might not have been involved in the politics of Nigeria football, but every other thing he knows and he’s home grown.

“With organisation and dedication, I see no reason why we can’t qualify ahead of Rwanda, Benin Republic and South Africa in our group.

“After working with Peseiro, who was a defensive minded coach, he’ll have to pick his own style. In the next few matches, I’ll want him to be very cautious,”he said.

Balogun said that if we love Nigeria, this is the time for us all to come together and support George.

“His salary should be decided, mode of payment as and when due. I prefer that George is the chosen one over a foreign coach who won’t know much about Nigerian football and its terrain.

“There are advantages in having a foreign coach, but there are many more disadvantages,” he said.

NEWSMEN reports that the NFF on Monday announced the appointment of George as the Super Eagles head Coach.

George in interim capacity edged Ghana 2-1 in the first match, ending an 18-year winless streak against the Black Stars, but lost 0-2 to Mali in the second game.

The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Federal Capital Territory Administration, says it will relocate Apo Mechanic Village and artisans loitering in the area to give way for road construction.

The coordinator of the council, Mr Felix Obuah, disclosed this during a meeting with the Apo Mechanic Village and Auto Spare Parts Dealers Association in Abuja.

Ubuah pointed out that the FCTA was constructing a road along the Apo mechanic village, adding however, that the road has been occupied by spare parts dealers and artisans.

He said that the relocation became necessary because a contract for the road construction had been awarded and work would begin in earnest.

He said that he had visited the area specifically to check the streets, the roads, and the artisans, and see how they could be taken off the streets and relocated.

“So, we went there to see for ourselves and see what we can do to relocate the occupants of the mechanic village and artisans who have taken over large portions of the roads.

“From there we went to Wasa to see the possibility of relocating the artisans out of the area to give the city its desired beauty,” he said.

The Chairman of the association, Mr Michael Ndubisi, said that the visit by the association was to pledge solidarity with the coordinator and extend a hand of partnership.

Ndubisi, who is also the Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of Motor Mechanics and Technicians of Nigeria, promised to partner  the council for the development of Abuja city.

A Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State, on Tuesday remanded a 45-year-old cleric, Mr Sunday Adewoye, who allegedly raped a 22-year-old lady.

Adewoye, whose address was not provided, is charged with unlawful sexual penetration and rape.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Patrick Adekomaiya, did not take the plea of Adewoye.

He said that he needed advice from the state director of public prosecutions.

Adekomaiya ordered that the defendant should be kept in a custodial facility pending the advice.

He adjourned the case until June 3 for mention.

The prosecutor, Insp Ayodele Adeosun, had earlier informed the court that Adewoye committed the offenses on April 17 at 5:00 pm on Joseph Dosu Way, Badagry.

He said Adewoye had sexual intercourse with the 22-year-old lady without her consent, in contravention of Sections 260 and 263 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.