Nigeria will be among the favorites to win the continental championship when Africa’s strongest teams meet in Ivory Coast in January
Former Nigeria international Dimeji Lawal believes Jose Peceiro’s Super Eagles will be successful if they trust their countrymen’s players, Soccernet.ng reported.
The Super Eagles team has a good mix of Nigerian-born and foreign-born professionals, many of whom play in Europe.
Nigeria has the best attack power in world football. The country has players such as Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Umar Sadiku, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi and Terem Mofi, all of whom were born in Nigeria.
However, Ademola Lookman, Joe Aribo, Nathan Tera, Ola Aina, and Semi Ajayi were born in England, while Calvin Bassey’s place of birth is Italy.
Lawal believes that Nigerian-born Super Eagles stars often show more seriousness and dedication to the national cause than their foreign-born counterparts.
The former Real Madrid B midfielder criticizes Peseiro for not having a solid squad for AFCON, while the Portuguese head coach is a serious and more determined Nigerian I believe that the Super Eagles will be able to make a good impression in Ivory Coast if they further strengthen their play. Leaving Sternen.
“I am not satisfied with the Super Eagles’ preparations for AFCON 2024, which starts next month,” Lawal told the Guardian.
“Coaches still invite foreign-born players to various games.”
“The fact that a player did well in the English League, German Bundesliga, or Spanish Liga does not mean that he will do well in AFCON.” This is for tough players It’s another championship.
“Kanu Nwankwo, who was the best player in Europe at the time, could not score a goal in his entire career as an AFCON footballer. This shows how tough the competition in AFCON is.< /p>
“Players who grew up in Nigeria and played in the domestic football system, such as Victor Osimhen, Chukwueze, Ndidi and Iheanacho, explain how serious it is and how they approach matches against African teams. I know what to do.”
“Athletes who have no connection to Nigeria cannot put in extra effort to achieve good results.”
“How many times have we heard of foreign-born Nigerian players getting injured while playing for Nigeria? It takes serious, selfless and dedicated players to win AFCON.
“You can’t expose foreign-born Nigerian players to the scorching African sun and expect good results.” What happened in the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe and Lesotho clearly illustrates what I’m talking about. This is proof. The Nations Cup is not for players who lack patriotic enthusiasm and the determination to die on the pitch to achieve results for their country. ”
Nigeria played hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau in the AFCON group stage and drew.