Super Eagles have what it takes to deliver Nigeria’s fourth Africa Cup of Nations title in Egypt, General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi has stated, Completesports.com reports.
Dr. Sanusi told Completesports.com in Abuja that he was in disagreement with those who have written off the Super Eagles, stressing that Nigeria will spring a surprise by winning the AFCON trophy in Egypt.
“I am very optimistic that Super Eagles will win the AFCON trophy come July this year. The only way to appease for missing two consecutive Nations Cup is the emerge champions in Egypt, and insha Allah, they will deliver” the NFF scribe said.
“We have the players and a very sound technical crew capable of going all the way in Egypt. Anyone who underrates the Super Eagles does that at his own risk because we have the squad capable of beating any team and bringing back the cup.
“It is going to be very tough, but I have confidence in the ability of the Super Eagles to excel in Egypt. We shall be ready to face the best of Africa and conquer.”
He also stated that NFF ha given the Super Falcons the best ever preparation ahead of the 2019 FIFA Women’s world Cup , adding that they expect the team to do very well in France.
By Richard Jideaka, Abuja
Got what it Takes?
Predict and Win Millions Now
COMMENTS
Story for the gods!!!
Abeg who ready for heart attack make him follow this man and oyinbo coach enter water na who them wan kill or deceive abi bet9ja bribe una.
I pray
No doubt we have what it takes to win the tournament as the NFF have said by God’s grace.
At the same time, the coach of the team have done well too but the only concern I’m having with the team is the ability of the technical crew.
I know most of my colleagues won’t like what I have said just now but that is the truth.
Wrong substitutions and late substitutions might be the main challenges to the team in Egypt this year.
Super Eagles doesn’t have a stable no1 goalkeeper, another issue here that the coach have to looking into.
If the coach can fix those things, by God’s grace, we are ready to go. I wish the team the best. Ire o. God bless us all. God bless Nigeria!!!
Of course, we expect it. Whether e go shele is another story. With the talents at our disposal, a 4th Afcon trophy is definitely possible. If we are complacent and careless, a group stage exit is also possible.
Make them go TB Joshua them go win
Nigeria missed 2012 Afcon, qualified for 2013 and won it! Nigeria missed 2015 & 2017 Afcon, and have now qualified for 2019 Afcon. Nigeria will win it again! It’s a mystery. If you know, you know.
True 1+1 equals to 10 in this case. Omo you get sense sha
“We have the players and a very sound technical crew capable of going all the way in Egypt. Anyone who underrates the Super Eagles does that at his own risk because we have the squad capable of beating any team and bringing back the cup.
“It is going to be very tough, but I have confidence in the ability of the Super Eagles to excel in Egypt. We shall be ready to face the best of Africa and conquer.”: The NFF
I spent about 10 minutes analysing this statement and I can’t help be feel the determination smoking out of it.
Is it over-confidence? is it arrogance? is it misplaced pomposity?
Not really. We have players who are hungry; we have players who are determined and we have an NFF willing to leave no stone un-turned.
It is whether the stars will align; whether we will have the rub of the green; whether the big decisions will go in our favour.
Keshi’s Super Eagles were not supposed to defeat Ivory Coast in 2013; Zambia were not meant to defeat Ivory Coast in 2012; and Egypt were expected to overcome Cameroon in 2017.
In football, anything can happen.
I will not be telling anyone that the Super Eagles will win the Afcon; not that I don’t think they can win it, but at this stage,I don’t know how the tournament would unravel.
Will Egypt rather die than lose on home soil? Will Ghana continue their domination of Nigeria? Will Burundi shock the continent? Is destiny on Cameroon’s side to retain the trophy?
One thing I am sure about is that Rohr’s boys will be expressive, explosive and they would excite; oh yeah baby! that I am sure about.
Also, the Super Eagles will be one team that others will want to avoid; any match against teams like Ghana, Egypt or Cameroon will like clash of the titans; edge of the seat stuff – men, I can’t wait (my fingers are sweating just typing this piece).
I am expecting a fascinating tournament, one that only ill-fortune can prevent Nigeria from lifting the trophy because, yes, we have the players. But, will we have the luck?
I don’t ;like when these people talk like this. They will go and jinx these boys now.
An experienced man should never talk like this. How can you win the cup when the team have not even kick the ball for the starting tournament. Suppose the team get knocked out at the group stage. After-all, it is 11 vs 11 men digging it out there. Please, instead of boasting like a “titibity bird, saying to all other birds that by tomorrow evening, it shall be the King of all birds”. Unfortunately, in the morning of the appointed day, all the other birds gathered together to say that ‘they will never and never appoint this Titibity bird to be our King because, it will obviously start to fly over and above our heads to sh*t on our heads’, individually or collectively’. So, as the story goes. The boastful Titibity bird never become the King of all the birds. Let me suggest in own my humble opinion therefore, that in a team game, like soccer, hard and exhaustive preparation is the key. Pray that any one or two members of the team don’t disappoint or play below form during the match, otherwise, the team as a whole, is out of there.
My Oga…this is the type of statements many Nigerians love to hear o. That we will beat everybody beatable, empty boasts and arrogance. Some people have even said they will hang themselves if G. Rohr doesn’t win the AFCON. We all read Herve Renhard’s interview, 2 time winner with 2 different countries in the last 7 years, coaching unarguably the most talented generation of Moroccan players in decades. He’s not boasting, not even mentioning his team in the list of favorites. But people who know football want us to start boasting and raising shoulders when we are just getting to play our in 1st AFCON since 2013. Now that the FA has given them what they want, at least we can have peace. But if anything is sure….not even TB Josh can categorically tell us the 4 teams that will play at the semis of this forthcoming AFCON, not to talk of the finalists and eventual winners. Thats how explosive and competitive this afcon promises to be.
Take it from me. This team isn’t going anywhere. We Know we ain’t good enough but we keep on hyping ourselves. Rohr is a big joke. NFF is callous.
I’m taking it from you bro. I will bookmark this page and call you out at the appropriate time. Trust me..!
@Paul,Dr. Drey , Edoman, Neo honorable others
I was really surprised the about the reaction of fans regarding Dr Sanusi’s innocuous statement. What would you have expected him to say? That we are going to Egypt to be sent home after the group game?
OMG! people got him completely wrong. Is the man a coach? He is just like a cook who’s preparing the food and dishing it out to hungry guests. Would a guest touch the food if the host says the food tests terrible? We’re in soccer to have fun, ‘mouth” opposing teams, brag, feel excited. People who commit suicide because their team losses are real fools. Tell me, if the SE wins the next AFCON will I stop paying tax? Or will the universities waive my children’s fees?
I’m afraid, even Omo9ja whom we attack for being a pessimist is even more optimistic this time. Let’s just have fun and believe that our darling SE will win. If they lose we won’t throw them into the ocean.
Even Messi boasted that Argentina waa going to Russia to win the WC. Did it happen? Does that detract from his colossal status as the most gifted footballer ever? He is lacing up for Copa America to continue the fight. The SE will win the next AFCON in Egypt. if you believe it can’t win, why waste your time following players and recommending those who should be in the team to make it stronger. Make it stronger for what? To lose? Here comes our 4th AFCON.The players should not wager their lives. What did Bob Marley say? “He who fights and runs away will live to fight another day.”
Indeed, nobody goes into a game desiring to lose. Nobody! Even the so called minnows are no pushovers anymore. They are fighting the established countries and giving them a run for their money. Just a couple of weeks ago, Argentina, including Oga Messi, were spanked 3-1 in front of their ardent fans, by who…Venezuela. Vene…who? I said Venezuela. The same Venezuela we beat 3-1 (still remember Igiebor’s wonder goal in that game). Apparently, Venezuela did not give a hoot about Messi. Does Messi have 3 heads? Venezuela did not send Messi. They played their game and disgraced Messi and co in front of their fans. Goes back to the GIANT KILLER/FEAR NO FOE mentality CJ talked about. Apart from our 1994 world cup and 1996 Olympic teams, the other teams from Africa that had this attitude in abundance were the 1990 Cameroon world cup team (those guys were the most fearless bunch I’ve ever seen), and the Senegal 2002 world cup team (another mentally strong side). If we had this giant killing mentality, we, and not Argentina, should have qualified from our group at the last world cup. Now that the Afcon is almost here, make no mistake about it…..all the countries that qualified are coming to win. They all want the trophy. Why not? If winning is 100% impossible, then why bother? So, while I strongly believe Nigeria can win this Afcon, I also believe complacency, carelessness, and especially underrating our foes who are so called minnows, will spell doom. To win this Afcon, we need meritorious selection, good tactical input from Rohr and co, and of course, a nice slice of good fortune. But then, good fortune usually comes to those who go about there business the right way.
Good points…
The problem persists.
“My young team” mentality.
Bad selection.
Late changes.
Lack of confidence as a team, just like Arsenal.
We need a combination of Westerhof and Bonfere Jo.
To replicate the giant killer and fear no foe mentality of the USA 1994 and Atlanta ’96 teams.
A coach has to believe Argentina is winable and that any team of 11 player us winable and should impact thr same to his team.
“An army of lions lead by a sheep will ultimately loose to an army of ships lead by a lion.
Bulgaria was ranked #5 in the world, we beat them 3:0, Spain was ranked #2 we beat them neat.
It is called “can do attitude”
The USA is not a soccer nation, but anytime they are on the pitch you see player with soldier mentality.
Pinic is doing great, but he needs to grow some balls.
Nff send Amuneke on training with Bacca for a whole season.
Send Siasia to Real Madrid for one season.
Manu Garba to Mancity for a season.
Nduka Ugbade to Bayern Munich.
Assemble them after that and. Hand over to them the various national teams.
Give them all the support given to all these oyibo including pay package and see if they will fail.
But this is nigeria, where everything work upside down.some call it zoo.
The problem persists.
“My young team” mentality.
Bad selection.
Late changes.
Lack of confidence as a team, just like Arsenal.
We need a combination of Westerhof and Bonfere Jo.
To replicate the giant killer and fear no foe mentality of the USA 1994 and Atlanta ’96 teams.
A coach has to believe Argentina is winable and that any team of 11 player us winable and should impact thr same to his team.
“An army of lions lead by a sheep will ultimately loose to an army of sheeps lead by a lion.
Bulgaria was ranked #5 in the world, we beat them 3:0, Spain was ranked #2 we beat them neat.
It is called “can do attitude”
The USA is not a soccer nation, but anytime they are on the pitch you see players with soldier mentality.
Pinic is doing great, but he needs to grow some balls.
Nff send Amuneke on training with Bacca for a whole season.
Send Siasia to Real Madrid for one season.
Manu Garba to Mancity for a season.
Nduka Ugbade to Bayern Munich.
Assemble them after that and. Hand over to them the various national teams.
Give them all the support given to all these oyibo including pay package and see if they will fail.
But this is nigeria, where everything work upside down.some call it zoo.
@CJ, you said it all bro. In fact, you nailed it finished. Nigerians are watching ooo. God bless you bro. God bless Nigeria!!!
You Can’t Win The Nations Cup With A Goalkeeper Like Uzoho – Ex Super Eagles Star Mobi Oparaku Tells Rohr
Former Super Eagles right fullback Mobi Oparaku says the chances of Nigeria winning the Africa Cup of Nations is slim because the team presently don’t have a goalkeeper they can rely on in times of difficulty, Owngoalnigeria.com reports.
Speaking to Owngoalnigeria.com in Jos while performing his duty as team manager of Nigeria Professional Football League side Heartland FC in their 0-0 draw against Plateau United, Oparaku didn’t mince words in his submission on the Super Eagles.
Oparaku was quite vocal in the area of goalkeepers insisting that the present first choice goalkeeper of the Super Eagles Uzoho is not good enough same as the other goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi.
” You can’t win the AFCON with that goalkeeper (Uzoho). It’s impossible to be honest and this am saying despite the fact that Uzoho originated from the state where I control most of the youth teams. He is not fit enough to be first choice “,
” Ezenwa is a bit better and his record for the team is decent but he isn’t someone you can rely on. Akpeyi is someone I knew right from his days at Nasarawa United. He’s a goalkeeper who feels like running away from the post whenever the Eagles are under pressure. We’ve a big problem “.
Thank you Mr. Mobi Oparaku. You have played the game and you were very sure of what you were saying.
NOTE:
I said the same thing yesterday but I’m so glad that Nigerians are waking up. My 1+1 isn’t 4 or 8 but = 2
If Nigerians refused to solve this equation now, it might be too late in June this year to do so.
Uzoho – Ezenwa – Akpai – Ighalo – coach Rohr = average team. Same result in Russia may recurred in Egypt if care is not taken.
My 1+1 is very clear. It is vary simple to do. He knows his first 11 too well why he refused to strengthen his team by opening camp for the new players after the world cup in Russia to try new sets of players?
Coach Rohr should have discovered so many talented young players by now. Simple arithmetic 1+1 = 2 period.
I hope we heard how the Canadian coaches have analyzed the strategy they used against Falcons?
They knew their stuff too well but our own are better at mind game. We can see now that 1+1 isn’t 8?
I won’t be deceived by any coach but if you like, you can because it’s a free world. In the end, I will say I have warned you Nigerians. Hmm, Oodabo. God bless Nigeria!!!
Omo9ja, I agree with you hundred percent on Uzoho.
That guy is not in shape for the AFCON. Hope Mr. Rohr is listening to people like Mobi Oparaku on this issue.
Oga Omo9ja, many thanks for your opinion. However, after reading through your long essay, l am more confused to a point when l sought for your recommendations and solutions to the short comings you so brilliantly highlighted and l could not find any. May l illustrate my logic in this fashion, if l may. If your first son is not so brilliant in school, even the teacher is considered not too good as well, tell me, what would you do ? Again, in my own humble opinion, Oga Omo9ja, l would spend extra money to employ teacher for extra lessons to teach him at home. l would never get angry or frustrated as to advocate his dismissal from school nor will l eject my son from my home.
NFF has no choice than to encourage our coach Rohr now. He is the best we have got. He is real. All the goal keepers Omo9ja discarded to an embarrassing level are all Nigerians we have got as a Nation, to mane our goalpost. If it was possible to go borrow a goalkeeper from Manchester United, l am sure the NFF would gladly do so. Why can’t you mention any name for the NFF to go pick up for the super eagle to use in Egypt in the summer. Why are you beating our National goal keepers the way you do. Please Oga Omo9ja, encourage the coaching team to exhaustively prepare, as humanly possible for the battle ahead if they are to have an impart in AFCON .
@Daddy Edoman, thank you so much for asking that question sir.
If your first son is not so brilliant in school, even the teacher is considered not too good as well, tell me, what would you do?
Thank you my man. You see, vice versa. The way you think might be different to mine. So, Afilakai is not good enough to be in that team but Akpeyi is great bah? Hmm, Nigerians.
For these reasons, I am not putting anybody down my man. We have to be honest with ourselves. I think you read the article I posted above and you heard what the Mr. Mobi Oparaku have said? If yes then my simple equation should be cleared to everyone to understand.
I am tired of mentioning names for our coach every day. Onuachu for example. How about Udoh and so many other players that I have been mentioning all this while? I think I deserve a loud ovation from the coaching staffs, NFF, Mr. Edoman himself and the fans of the Super Eagles.
However, If your son is not that good in school as you said above, use my equation to solve the problem. 1+1 = 2.
Now that this is the simplest way that I’m going to use to solve this problem, you will need to pay much attention to your son why he is not that good in school. Point no1.
His teacher good enough? His your son staying too late in school every day?
Does he have some minutes to play with other kids at home?
Does he really know what he is doing in school? Because every kid has the way of doing things differently maybe the class is too crowded for him or pressure from his teacher is way too much.
These are among the things you have to put into consideration to figure out why your son is very poor academically. By doing so, you will know what to do right away. 1+1=2
However, coach Rohr issue is totally different. Coach is not poor but needs help from his employer. 1+1=2
His employer haven’t pressurised him since he have started coaching the Super Eagles team.
If I’m not mistaken here, you were referring to Mr. Rohr as my son which is understandable but if he doesn’t know what he is doing or not good enough at his job, his teacher which is his employer have to come together to help the coach in terms of his technicalities such as later substitutions and wrong selections.
This is where the equation is needed here. His assistant coach is good but he doesn’t have any impact in that team. How about the goalkeeper trainer? They are not that good to delivered. That is why we are having the likes of Akpai, Ighalo and so on in the team now and we are expecting them to deliver? Kobahaka? Isn’t it?
I’m shaking my head o.
If you think coach is the only solution to the team that we have now, I’m so sorry, you are making a huge mistake.
More so NFF can borrow the service of Kanu for this year Afcon. Yes, just for this year Afcon alone. Coach Rohr+Peter Rufai+Kanu=great team work. Problem solved. 1+1=2 These two gentlemen + the entire team=strong squad.
Then, these two gentlemen just needs little touches in that team because the job is almost done the current technical crews have no ideas on how to get the job done. But if you believe they are, Russia scenario as an example and June is almost here then, you will realized that your son have to change the way of doing his stuffs differently in school. God bless Nigeria!!!
Well, as regards the goal keeper’s department.I don’t really feel at ease either.
Let’s not forget that, if any goalkeeper is called on to Mount the post for the AFCON, it will pose a lot of fear in the mind of the fans.
So, in my opinion, the goalkeepers should stay, motivate them and work them hard.
We do not have any goal keeping crises in the SE eagles. Whoever says so is a liar. We have 3 of the most experienced (international) goalkeepers in Nigeria currently in the team. No Nigerian goalkeeper (save for Austin Ejide and Dele Aiyenugba) anywhere in the world has more international experience and caps than these 3. Any other goalkeeper that will be brought into the team before the afcon will be a learner making his debut. We cant go anywhere in AFCON with a learner either. So we will stick with the ones we have. Back in 2004, some people said we were going to Tunisia without a goalkeeper….our goalkeeper ended up becoming the goal keeper of the tournament. Talk is always cheap…..we are used to these things.
Oga Walking and my learned Dr, ‘Koyor’, always appreciate your input in this forum. Again Dr, you made my day for emphasizing the same precept of my argument l presented in this thread above. That the goal keepers are all we have got, and they are Nigerians. As my learn Dr pointed clearly, we can do with what we have got and more so, they are the most experienced goal keepers in the Land, with more International exposure in recent memory.
Let me repeat myself once more, Rohr is the best coach in Nigeria today. He is real, Check his records. The 3 goal-keepers Rohr is taking to AFCON are the best we have got. Therefore Ladies & Gentlemen, lets stress the importance of “hard work” on these fine goalkeepers so as to bring the best out of them if we are to achieve the desire objectives in Egypt.
@ Dr Drey, Edoman & Co, we are not advocating for a new goalkeeper. It is too close to the AFCON to start shopping for one. However, Uzoho can be dropped to the bench and Ezenwa made the first choice.
If learned footballers like Mobi Oparaku have begun to openly complain about Uzoho, then it is time to double check to make sure we are not sticking with the wrong guy.
We are all praying for the success of the coach and hoping he makes the right decision.
Let them all go and battle it out in camp. Whoever comes up tops should start..! Finis and klaar…!!!
Bomboy, I am not (yet) a huge fan of Uzoho but if truth be told, he hasn’t done too badly.
I know his circumstances have fallen on hard times of late but if indeed Mobi oparaku, who was rubbish against Spain in 1998, said what they said he said, then his assessment of Uzoho is harsh in my humble opinion.
We are not going to Las Vegas folks, this Afcon would be very tough probably the toughest in years , we need the best of our best to make noise, Taking Uzoho and Akpeyi to Egypt is like going to Vegas to gamble. We went to Russia to gamble the rest is history.
You remind me of an incident in Atlantic City, New Jersey many year ago. There was this cute baba from Washington DC, trying to hook me up when my wife’s friend quickly alerted her about my fleeting behavior and there my wife quickly rushed to intervene suddenly. She never allow me go to Atlantic City ever again.
Atlantic City is another Gamble City in the North East of the United States of America which, perhaps, ravel Las Vegas.
Sorry folks for bringing this none soccer topics into this. Don’t vex o.
We have a Rohr inflicted confidence crisis.
NFF need to tell Rohr that naija fears no foe.
He need to telk his playees and mean it too that they are on a redemption mission at Egypt haven failed nigerians at Russia.
Rohr should be told that anything short of good football like USA’94 and an appearance in the final of AFCON,he is gone.
We have a Rohr inflicted confidence crisis.
NFF need to tell Rohr that naija fears no foe.
He need to tell his playees and mean it too that they are on a redemption mission at Egypt haven failed nigerians at Russia.
Rohr should be told that anything short of good football like USA’94 and an appearance in the final of AFCON,he is gone.