Okocha advises the Super Eagles to be more consistent and stable

Posted : 04 May 2023

A former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, on Thursday urged the Super Eagles to be more consistent and stable in their quest to maintain the team's status as Africa's number one.

The mercurial midfielder gave the advice in an interview with Africa Sport Network (ASN) on the sidelines of the unveiling of the African Heroes Penalty Cup held at the Radisson Hotel Ikeja.

Okocha, who just celebrated his 30th birthday after being called up to the senior national team, said that the Super Eagles team had been less impressive in recent years, missing important competitions like the World Cup.

"We all want to see our Super Eagles doing well; we know how painful it is not to be in the World Cup; the team needs to steady the ship."

"The Super Eagles need to be more consistent, which is so obvious that they are not."

We all know that we are a demanding nation when it comes to football.

"We are not short of talents, so it is all about putting a strong team together—a team that can represent the nation the way it should."
"We as ex-players will always support them and wish them all the best," he said.

On the contract extension of the current coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Pesseiro, Okocha explained that he expected that the Nigeria Football Federation would make an informed decision.

"Football is a result-based game; if a team is doing well, they get the reward, and if not, they get nothing." If the coach is not doing well, his appointment will be in question.

"It is not in my place to advise the NFF what to do about Pesseiro's contract, because they are there for a reason; they should take a wise decision and get it right," he said.

Okocha also advised in-form Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to put his head up and maximize the opportunity available to him. "My advice for Osimhen is to remain grounded and keep the passion and spirit high."

It is clear that he plays with hunger, and that is what I like about him. "Osimhen should not let down his guard," he advised.

The former Paris Saint-Germain player also said that his participation in the upcoming African Heroes Penalty Cup would offer him a reunion with his former colleagues in football.

"The attention for me is to have the opportunity to compete once again; this is our comfort zone; there is no pressure to perform."

"Although it is a competition, I will be meeting with my former colleagues and foes," Okocha said.

Okocha is the Tournament Facilitator of the African Heroes Penalty Cup, in which he will feature alongside Daniel Amokachi and Finidi George to represent Nigeria.

The African Heroes Penalty Cup is an eight-nation competition to be held in Mobolaji Johnson Arena, formerly Onikan Stadium, Lagos Island, to be played at a yet-to-be-announced date later in the year.

The eight African countries that will participate in the inaugural edition include Nigeria as host, Morocco, Ghana, South Africa, Cameroon, Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, and Senegal. Each country will have three players' representatives play knockout quarterfinal games until a finalist emerges to produce the eventual winners of the competition.

Okocha advises the Super Eagles to be more consistent and stable

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics