Super Eagles legend Kanu Nwankwo canvas dedication from players ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) qualifier; npflupdates.com reports.
The Super Eagles will return to action later this month as they seek to qualify for the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
With ten points from four outings, the three-time African champions is hoping to finish the qualifiers as group leaders.
Speaking to the media in a recent interview, Kanu while applauding the importance of the national team players; also enjoined them to always give their best.
According to the former Arsenal FC playmaker, it’s unpatriotic for players to give their best at their various clubs; But, will underperform in the national colours.
What Kanu Said Ahead Of AFCON Qualifiers
“They are very important. They can’t be doing well in their various clubs and then come to the national team they will not do the same. No.
“When you come to the national team you give more than what you give to the clubs. Kanu said. “You can’t wear that jersey and be slacking. If you’re giving your club 100%, give us 200%,” the Enyimba FC Chairman told Brila.net.
He added, “The players need to understand that that we may be talking about coaching all the time but they need to do more. From what I’ve seen in recent matches, they are improving, and they’re getting better.”
In another story, former Nigeria international Sunday Oliseh, cries over the welfare of indigenous coaches.
In a recent interview, Oliseh argued that indigenous coaches are always underpaid as Super Eagles coach when compared to the expatriate counterparts.
The former midfielder revealed the situation is affecting the performances of the coaches, as well as that of the players.
“Some might not like what I’m about to say, but when I was coaching the Super Eagles, my salary was N5m a month—equivalent to about $12,850 at that time,” Oliseh said.
“The late Stephen Keshi won the African Cup of Nations(AFCON) on the same pay. Yet, when we hire foreign coaches, we pay them $70,000 or $56,000, while our best indigenous coaches earn just $12,500. Then we wonder why they don’t perform?”
“We are at risk of missing out on the World Cup again, and we’re not addressing it seriously. Are we going to glorify mediocrity?” he questioned.
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Speaking further, the former Super Eagles manager argued that the 1994 set of the national team remains the best.
In 1994, Nigeria won the Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) in Tunisia. The team would go on to become first African nation to reach a FIFA world cup quarterfinals.
The qualities and achievements of the team was further made public when it was ranked as fourth best team in the world by FIFA.
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“The greatest generation ever to play for Nigeria is the 1994 set. I was an integral part of it, not just as a player but as a leader contributing to our victories. It’s painful to think anyone would contest the strength and integrity of our generation. It’s an insult; we deserve to be celebrated,” he added.
