LIVE RADIO
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Soccernet.ng
  • AFCON 2025
    • AFCON News
    • AFCON Betting Sites
    • AFCON Odds
  • Leagues
    • EPL
    • NPFL
    • La Liga
    • Seria A
    • Ligue 1
  • Live Scores
  • Soccernet TV
  • Lifestyle
  • Betting
    • 1xBet
      • 1xBet Promo Code
      • 1xBet App
    • Bet9ja
      • Bet9ja Promotion Code
      • Bet9ja App
    • Betano
      • Betano Promo Code
      • Betano App
    • BetKing
      • BetKing Referral Code
      • BetKing App
    • BC.Game
      • BC GAME Bonus Code
      • BC Game App
    • 22bet
      • 22Bet Promo Code
    • Paripesa
      • PariPesa Promo Code
      • PariPesa App
    • Nairabet
      • Nairabet App
    • Melbet
      • Melbet Promo Code
      • Melbet App
    • Stake
      • Stake Referral Code
    • Guides
No Result
View All Result
Soccernet.ng
  • AFCON 2025
    • AFCON News
    • AFCON Betting Sites
    • AFCON Odds
  • Leagues
    • EPL
    • NPFL
    • La Liga
    • Seria A
    • Ligue 1
  • Live Scores
  • Soccernet TV
  • Lifestyle
  • Betting
    • 1xBet
      • 1xBet Promo Code
      • 1xBet App
    • Bet9ja
      • Bet9ja Promotion Code
      • Bet9ja App
    • Betano
      • Betano Promo Code
      • Betano App
    • BetKing
      • BetKing Referral Code
      • BetKing App
    • BC.Game
      • BC GAME Bonus Code
      • BC Game App
    • 22bet
      • 22Bet Promo Code
    • Paripesa
      • PariPesa Promo Code
      • PariPesa App
    • Nairabet
      • Nairabet App
    • Melbet
      • Melbet Promo Code
      • Melbet App
    • Stake
      • Stake Referral Code
    • Guides
No Result
View All Result
Soccernet.ng
No Result
View All Result

“Africa should be talking about winning the World Cup” – AFCON-winning Super Eagles assistant coach urges African teams to step up

Morocco became the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup.

by Adefolahan Guerreiro
March 14, 2024
in AFCON, News, Nigeria, This Week, Top, World Cup
“Africa should be talking about winning the World Cup” – AFCON-winning Super Eagles assistant coach urges African teams to step up

AFCON-winning Super Eagles assistant coach, Sylvanus Okpala has urged African National teams to bring the World Cup to the continent, Soccernet.ng reports.

Okpala, 62, won the African Cup of Nations title as a player with the Super Eagles in 1980 and was a part of Stephen Keshi's coaching crew when Nigeria won the 2013 edition of the tournament in South Africa.

A midfielder in his playing days, Okpala scored five goals in 45 games for Nigeria and is popularly called “Quicksilver” amongst his peers.
The former Nacional player has applied for the vacant coaching position of the Nigeria men's National team, citing himself as the best option.
“I’ve won the Nations Cup as a player, and I have won it as an assistant coach to Keshi, the record is there. It is not easy. It’s not by luck or mathematics, it’s by knowledge,” the former Nigerian midfielder told Punch.
Okpala revealed that the development of African football has gotten to the stage where countries from the continent should be vying to win the FIFA World Cup, using Morocco's run in Qatar as a prime example.

“Getting to the semifinals of the World Cup is no longer news in Africa because Morocco got to the semifinals in the last World Cup. I think Africa should be talking about winning the World Cup. It is the same football; the difference is the mentality,” the former Maritimo man said in quotes revealed by Score Nigeria.

Okpala started his career in the Nigerian league with Enugu Rangers but believes the training that Nigerian players receive abroad is the same as their counterparts from other countries, therefore, the quality of their output should be similar.

“Our players are based abroad and most of them are playing against each other, either in the Italian league or so on, so they get the same training, so when we are going to the World Cup, we should be thinking about winning the World Cup,” He added.

The Super Eagles are still without a head coach despite having games against Ghana and Mali during this month's International break.

Tags: AFCONAFCON 2013AFCON 2023Ivory CoastNigeriaSouth AfricaSuper EaglesSylvanus OkpalaWorld Cup
<!-- Author Start -->Adefolahan Guerreiro<!-- Author End -->

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual sports journalist and football writer whose work spans outlets like Soccernet Nigeria, Pure Football UK, and Royalsportz. With a sharp eye for detail and a background in college sports, he tells the African football story with depth, flair, and global perspective. Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, he brings a cross-cultural voice to his coverage, blending insight with accessibility for readers around the world. His portfolio includes interviews with top Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, Sikiru Alimi, Sodiq Ismaila, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu. A devoted Borussia Dortmund fan, Adefolahan thrives on the emotion and rhythm of the beautiful game. Away from work, he’s a sci-fi enthusiast and series lover who enjoys exploring how sport, storytelling, and culture collide.

RelatedPosts

“Africa should be talking about winning the World Cup” – AFCON-winning Super Eagles assistant coach urges African teams to step up
Bundesliga

Victor Boniface returns to Bayer Leverkusen after brief Werder Bremen spell

6 hours ago
“Africa should be talking about winning the World Cup” – AFCON-winning Super Eagles assistant coach urges African teams to step up
AFCON

Battle for the Super Eagles boss: Inside Nigeria’s contract tug-of-war over Eric Chelle

9 hours ago
“Africa should be talking about winning the World Cup” – AFCON-winning Super Eagles assistant coach urges African teams to step up
News

“We know he’ll help us” – Everything Valencia’s Sporting Director said about Sadiq Umar

1 year ago
“Africa should be talking about winning the World Cup” – AFCON-winning Super Eagles assistant coach urges African teams to step up
Featured

Emmanuel Dennis joins Brondby: Four Nigerians who have played for the 2021 Danish champions

1 day ago

See other News

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest

Victor Boniface returns to Bayer Leverkusen after brief Werder Bremen spell

Nigeria vs Senegal: Aduku confident as Falconets chase another World Cup ticket

Battle for the Super Eagles boss: Inside Nigeria’s contract tug-of-war over Eric Chelle

‘Cunha send me your OPAY’ – Nigeria star reacts after Man United beat Arsenal

Senegalese AFCON hero set to block Raphael Onyedika’s move to Galatasaray

Soccernet.ng

Copyright © 2025 Soccernet Media Limited.

Navigate Site

  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Journalist Charter
  • Responsible Gambling
  • Terms of Use

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • AFCON 2025
  • Leagues
    • EPL
    • NPFL
    • La Liga
    • Serie A
    • Ligue 1
  • Live Scores
  • Soccernet TV
  • Lifestyle
  • Best Betting Sites
    • Betano
      • Betano Promo Code
      • App
    • BetKing
      • BetKing Referral Code
      • BetKing App
    • Paripesa
      • PariPesa Promo Code
      • PariPesa App
    • 1xBet
      • 1xBet Promo Code
      • 1xBet App
    • Bet9ja
      • Bet9ja Promotion Code
      • App
    • 22bet
      • 22bet promo code
    • BC.Game
      • BC GAME Bonus Code
      • App
    • Melbet
      • Melbet Promo Code
      • Melbet App
    • BetWinner
      • BetWinner Promo Code
    • Stake
      • Stake Referral Code
    • Mozzartbet
    • Helabet
    • Betway
    • Guides

Copyright © 2025 Soccernet Media Limited.