Former Super Eagles midfielder and now team coordinator, Patrick Pascal said there was no need for Nigerians to doubt the ability of the national team to lift the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title in Cote d’Ivoire.
Pascal who is also the Bauchi State Football Association, hinged his optimism on the calibre of players the Super Eagles currently have in its fold. He urged Nigerians not to judge the team based on their recent poor start to their World Cup qualifier campaign, drawing two games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
“I’m telling you confidently that our target is to win this AFCON,” Pascal said in a chat with Ufuoma Osusu, a consultant with Hotsports Media Group.
” We have the materials and Nigerians should believe in this team, we believe that this team will do well in Cote D’Ivoire.
” We have players playing week in, week out in the European leagues. Our players are not doing badly in their club sides, some are even scoring goals every week. We even boasts of a Nigerian striker in the last 10 of the Ballon ‘Dor – that is Victor Osimhen.
” The likes of Awoniyi, Murphy, Sadiq Umar and so many of our attackers are doing great. Even in the wings, Lookman, Moses Simon, Chukwueze and a host of others are not losing guard.”
Meanwhile former Super Eagles attacker and coach Samson Siasia says the team is too disorganised to make any impact in the AFCON.
“Like the majority of Nigerians, I am worried about the Eagles’ lackluster performances so far. Struggling against countries like Lesotho and Zimbabwe is not a good sign of a team ready to win the Africa Cup of Nations as well as qualify for the 2026 World Cup
“Let us not deceive ourselves, we cannot be the best in Africa with this disorganised team. Our players must be made to understand what it means to wear the green and white jersey of the nation while the coach also needs to improve on the tactical approach.”
The Super Eagles are drawn in group A the tournament alongside hosts, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau and Equatorial Guinea. Teams that are no pushovers. The Super Eagles will open their account with Equatorial Guinea on January 14, and then face Cote d’ Ivoire January 21, before round off with Guinea Bissau.
