Former Super Eagles’ captain, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has sent out a strong piece of advice to top shots of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), saying they must tackle all off-field issues that might affect the team at the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
Sports247 reports that Okocha is of a view that the Super Eagles are star-studded enough to win every competition they participate in, but pointed out that the team needs a structure that can work effectively.
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He theorised, “It’s like putting a proper structure in place and then you have to do everything to make it work. Unfortunately, we always believe in quick-fix. In football, it cannot work that way. There should not be any quick-fix in football.”
He continued by looking into the reality of many talents available to the Super Eagles at every point in time and reckoned that the team’s inability to shine in recent years could be due to issues affecting the squad outside the field of play.
Okocha pointed out, “We must know that Nigeria can never lack talent, because of our huge population. At the same time, I believe we still have a fantastic squad.
“So, why are we not consistent enough? Why are we not winning back-to-back competitions? I don’t think it’s just about the players. We may have to look at other things off the pitch.”
The former midfield dazzler, who enacted heroics while playing for Eintracht Frankfurt of Germany, Fernebahce of Turkey, Paris-Saint Germain of France as well as Hull City and Bolton Wanderers of England, concluded by stressing the need for adequate preparations before AFCON 2025.
“You have to prepare well before you get on the pitch and start to play. It includes checking all issues that might distract your players when they start to play,” Jay Jay emphasised.
