The Super Eagles had a decent performance in the AFCON, but they faltered in the final
Former Super Eagles attacker Emmanuel Amunike has affirmed his confidence in the team despite losing the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations to Cote d'Ivoire on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria was struggling before the AFCON. Just before the competition, they failed to defeat minos like Mozambique and Lesotho, and there were doubts about their title credentials.
However, they performed above expectations and reached the final of the competition, defeating South Africa and Cameroon en route.
Unfortunately, for Jose Peseiro and his lads, they fortuitously lost to hosts Cote d'Ivoire in the final. Following their loss, former Barcelona attacker and Nigeria Under -17 coach has stated his belief that the team can take their form into the AFCON and World Cup qualifiers.
“We have a team, and you know this crop of players that are coming up now is a sort of blessing to Nigeria in terms of having players that are doing well in their respective clubs,” Amunike told News Central.
“What we need to do is to find a balance, how we can be able to manage and get the best from these players. We have players, and we shouldn't be scared about whether the future is bright; we just need to do the needful.”
Nigeria will continue the World Cup qualifiers in June this year. Then, the AFCON qualifiers will begin in the second half of the year.
Yes! Amuneke is may be a good option because he has worked with some of the players before now.
If I may ask, where is Samson Siasia? When will his suspension expire? Any option or mix in the technical team of the Super Eagles cannot be complete without Siasia. I dare insist.
Tell me any team that bossed the Nigeria team with Siasia in charge… never! Even at the World Cup and Olympic football levels. He may not have won all the matches but the players held their own under his tutelage. The NFF bigwigs should do whatever it takes to get Siasia on board please!