Super Eagles midfielder, Frank Onyeka reveals the national team players, coaches and other backroom staff are aware of their fans frustration npflupdates.com reports.
Fans of the Super Eagles became frustrated after the three-time African champions failed to secure a win against the Crocodiles of Lesotho and Warriors of Zimbabwe in its 2026 world cup qualifier fixtures last month.
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Nigeria played out a 1-1 draw against Lesotho in Uyo, AkwaIbom State; and also against the Warriors of Zimbabwe in Rwanda few days later.
According to Onyeka, the team and their staff are aware of the fans frustration orchestrated by their poor performances. However, he remained upbeat the team can do well at the AFCON with the fans support.
“I know our fans are frustrated because of our performance but we still need their support ahead of the AFCON,” the former FC Midtjylland midfielder said.
“The draws we had in the last two games is something we need to learn from.”
Speaking further, the Brentford combative midfielder called for cautiousness when the Super Eagles come up against opponent teams, stressing that there’s no small team in Africa.
“African teams are not easy to play against and it’s something that we need to prepare ourselves mentally and physically for ahead of the AFCON. We know what it takes to win the AFCON,” he added.
In another story, coach Jose Peseiro has invited 27 players for the AFCON; nine forwards, five midfielders, nine defenders and four goalkeepers.
Full List of 27 Super Eagles players for the 2023 AFCON as posted on NPFLUpdates Facebook page
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Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (0monia FC, Cyprus); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United); Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel), Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba, Nigeria).
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahçe, Turkey); Jordan Torunarigha (KAA Gent, Belgium); William Ekong (PAOK FC, Greece); Semi Ajayi (WestBromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham). FC, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa, Turkey).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Alex Lwobi (Fulham, England)
Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City,
England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Term Moffi (Nice, France); Victor Boniface (Bayern Leverkusen, Germany), Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor, Turkey).
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The Super Eagles will hope to win a fourth AFCON title; they were seeded in same Group A as host nation Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.