Former Nigeria goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim, has posited that the Super Eagles’ 2-2 draw against Jordan national football team in Tuesday’s international friendly in Turkey is not a true reflection of the three-time AFCON winners’ potential and should not be judged solely by that result, Completesports.com reports.
Super Eagles Draw Not True Measure Of Team Strength
Agbim, an AFCON winner with the Nigeria national football team in 2013 in South Africa and a member of the squad at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, exclusively told Completesports.com on Wednesday that the dynamics of friendly matches are entirely different.
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He stressed that aside from national pride, there is little at stake in such fixtures, except when the manager intends to experiment with tactical options.
Friendlies Offer Room For Tactical Experiments
“Aside from that, I don’t think we should attach so much importance to the result of the friendly against Jordan or any other team for that matter,” Agbim said when asked for his views on the Nigeria versus Jordan encounter in Antalya Turkey on Tuesday night.
“Though friendly games are used to keep players active and may help the manager plan ahead of upcoming competitions, I don’t think it’s fair to judge the Super Eagles’ quality and potential based on such matches.”
Super Eagles Boast Quality Despite Draw
“Nigeria has great players who ply their trade in top clubs and leagues across the globe. The fact that they played a 2-2 draw with Jordan in a friendly is not enough reason for anyone to rate them poorly. No, that’s not fair,” he added.
Also Read: Friendly: Fernandez, Simon Score, Iwobi Sent Off As Super Eagles Draw 2-2 With Jordan
The former Enugu Rangers and Warri Wolves goalkeeper further stated: “Is it not the same Super Eagles team that defeated Iran national football team 2-1 at the same venue a few days ago?
“A win and a draw in two consecutive games, for me, is not a bad outcome. So, let’s stand behind the team and ensure they improve ahead of the next AFCON and FIFA World Cup competitions,” Agbim concluded.
By Sab Osuji
