Super Eagles defender, Jamilu Collins believes that the 2021 AFCON disappointment will fire up the Super Eagles to shoot down Black Stars when they meet on March 23 and 29, respectively, for the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria faces Ghana in the playoff in March to determine which country would be among the five teams that will make it to the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
Both countries were eliminated from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Cameroon.
In an interview with CKD Media, Collins stated that the players are determined to restore the dashed hope of football-loving Nigerians
“Honestly, it was so sad the way we crashed out of the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon,” the Paderborn fullback told CKD Media.
“However, that is football. I strongly believe that better days are ahead for us.
“We are looking forward to the match against black stars come March and hopefully, the fans will smile again. We will approach the two legs like the world cup finals.
“Every player’s dream is to play in the world cup and I am not an exception to that statement. I got my first cap after Russia 2018 and by God’s grace, we will qualify for Qatar and restore the dashed hope of football-loving Nigerians,” he added.
12 Comments
Afcon is thing of the past and we are still proud of you guys. Nobody is above mistake.
We only need to learn from the past mistakes and come out stronger.
Let’s give all it takes to beat Ghana home and away convincingly.
In addition, I would have suggested we retain the same coaching crew. what went wrong at Cameroon is not their fault. If we have our main strikers in the competition the result would have been different and Super Eagles would have plaid in Final.
God bless Nigeria.
God will see you guys through, wish you all the best. Just wish we can have a good tactician to handle this team to the world cup if we eventually qualified because I don’t have faith in Eguavon
Exactly what fans should be hearing now is what collins just said. More of this and afcon disappointment will be forgotten completely.
There should be total war in Ghana and in Abuja. In fact this two legged match should be our afcon final.
Any player call and who shows sign of unseriousnees should be dropped and repalced. No player should come to camp with hidden injuries at detriment of fully feet and ready to go player.
This is not the time to field home base players for marketing purpose or try error sake.
First 15min should be enough for any sound coach to the direction of the game and how to switch tactics if need be.
Above all this may not be the time to tell players just go and express yourself, there must be a solid plan, I mean a winning plan that the entire team must stick too.
Above all players should be battle ready for dirty game and ruff games as well.
Any way na way now eagle either borring or tiki taka. Qualification at all cost.
But be mindful of VAR. Our referees seem not to know how to use this technology called VAR. Any rough tackle you are in trouble, especially in the vital areas.
That’s what I want to hear. That’s the right approach against a sworn bitter-rival like Ghana. Like I’ve echoed before, Ghana will prefer to lose against Djibouti than lose to Nigeria. The best approach against them is to beat them to their game – no nonsense football. Just like Siasia did in 2008, denying them Olympic ticket.
Well said Collins. Approach the game like a final.
@Igbekun Abo calm down
And we always lose the finals….
What is happening to the new Manager Nigeria hired? Are they changing their mind already to opt for Eguavoen whom everybody in the world already knows how he is going to set up his team and play? I don’t like this silence on NFF part. What is really going on? If they are thinking playing Ghana is going to be a walk in the park, they have another shock coming.
You are very funny. Apart from everybody in the world knowing what to expect from Eguaveon in the field, he doesn’t help matters, because he also talks alot. He doesn’t know where to draw the line when he is being interviewed. He says everything…….even the things that should be private
Yeah exactly!. He actually has a Youtube post stating clearly what his football philosophies are and how his team sets up and plays. Can you believe that nonsense?
@Neo well let us wait and see, am not too sure even if the new coach lead there will be any different from what egu can acheive.
The most important thing is for right players to be selected and right tactics and approach to be adopted.
Egu has good results in qualifying matches at least from past expirience. So let us be hopefull abi kini mowi?.
My problem is some elements at NFF and other Nigerians are confusing common sense with patriotism. If we have other aspects of the Nigerian life thriving, it is not because it is necessarily being driven by Nigerians, It is because professionalism and common sense for once, have been allowed to thrive in those areas. It will be a mistake to now suddenly think our football also is ready to be handled by a Nigeria coach. Especially those, who have not handled any team for almost a decade and think they can just walk right in and do the job. It was a crazy decision.
I used to think Sanusi was head and shoulders above Collins but I have had a rethink.
Both are of similar skill set. In fact I am starting to see Collins as a better defender. When it comes to deliveries, both are moderate to decent but Zaidu has the slightest of edge.
Whoever starts against Ghana among the 2 can do an excellent job in caging the Black Stars defensively whilst providing and offensive outlet.
Each is decent but a stiff competition is needed. I see no harm throwing Rangers’ Bassey in the deep end…..