Nigeria has not reached a continental championship final since winning the trophy 10 years ago
Former RC Lens signing Benedict Akwegbu has helped the Super Eagles reach the finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Ivory Coast, reports Soccernet.ng.
Nigeria was eliminated in the first knockout stage of the 2021 AFCON to be held in Cameroon, remaining in the last two places of the tournament since beating Burkina Faso 1-0 to win the title in 2013. not.
Before this victory, the Super Eagles last reached the final in 2000, when they co-hosted it with Ghana.
Akwegbu was part of the team that had to win the title in a penalty shootout in Cameroon.
The former Glazer AK striker believes Nigeria’s wait is over and the Super Eagles have enough to make it into the final two teams of AFCON.
“Nigeria has some good players, so I hope we can at least reach the final,” Akwegbu told The New Telegraph.
“If we have players like Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, and players like Boniface who performed well in the German league, for me it will be a great team that can win the title.”
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“Still, we need to improve our defense than before. It should be better. I am optimistic that if things go according to plan, we can do well in AFCON. I think so.”
Nigeria has the best strikers on the continent, including African Player of the Year Osimhen, but the Super Eagles lack creative midfielders, straightforward defenders and competent goalkeepers.
Akwegbu believes there are players in the Nigeria Professional Football League that head coach Jose Peseiro can bring to the national team ahead of AFCON.
Akwegbu added: “To be honest, we need to welcome home players to the Super Eagles. That way, the Nigerian players will also be motivated and will be able to give their best in the league. .Because they know that,” he added. There is something to fight for.
“If you don’t accept them as part of the national team, they won’t feel valued. That’s not good for any player.” Even if you’re playing better than the best player in the world. Even if you did, you would feel that way. They’re playing from home, so the world hasn’t turned in your direction yet.
“We have some good home players who would fit in with the Super Eagles, especially in areas where we are lacking.” When it comes to attack, we are very good there, but we need to strengthen our defence. There is a need and we also need to strengthen our defense. A player, a person who can hold and distribute the ball well, and who can change the direction of the ball.
“As I said earlier, there are players who deserve to be on a team in their local league. I hope they get that opportunity soon.”
Nigeria will play hosts Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea in the AFCON group stage.
