Nigeria can’t make impact in AFCON 2024, says professional footballers association
Harrison Jalla, the chairman of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) Task Force, says Super Eagles cannot make much impact in the 2024 African Cup of Nations(AFCON) in Cote D’Ivoire due to a lack of tactical skills.
Jalla said this in Lagos on Friday that the team had lost its self-esteem, struggling to beat countries like Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
He said changes had to be made, and these changes had to be done early enough to avert a catastrophe when Nigeria would play at the AFCON 2024 in Cote d’Ivoire.
“Nothing has changed since Coach Jose Paseiro took over the Super Eagles. The team does not really lack talents both home and abroad, but what is missing is the managerial skills needed to harness its potential,” Jalla said.
He said the Eagles had not been able to secure a good coach and a manager since the death of Stephen Keshi.
Jalla stated, “Paseiro has no capacity to transform the team. He has done too much damage by his technical ineptitude. Nigeria cannot afford to carry baggage like Paseiro to the AFCON. The Super Eagles have lost their self-esteem and now struggle with countries like Guinea Bissau, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe.
“Nigeria should forget about anything positive from AFCON if Paseiro is still in charge.”
He added that the solution is to build a brand new Super Eagles with home base players as its nucleus. Jalla added that a full-fledged home base Super Eagles would have defeated Lesotho and Zimbabwe hands down.
Twenty-four countries will feature at the biennial competition, which kicks off on January 13 and ends on February 11, with Nigeria drawn against host country Cote d’Ivoire.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Heading 2
Tinubu’s economic reforms yielding results despite doubts: Bagudu
Mr Bagudu described Mr Tinubu as a visionary leader whose decisions demonstrated courage and commitment to national development.
Sport
Flamingos lose 2-1 to Poland in FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup opener
Poland’s Natalia Skrok made it two in the second half when Blanka Zajac, in the 65th minute, crossed into the Nigerian penalty area.
States
Gov Mbah scraps N750 daily ticket fee for Enugu tricycle operators, extends work hours
Mr Mbah also disclosed that tricycle operators would continue to use the state’s modern transport terminals free of charge.
States
FG unveils five-point strategy to tackle banditry, terrorism in Sokoto
Mr Ribadu called for sustained security deployments around vulnerable settlements, forest corridors and border communities.
Politics
2027: Wike urges Rivers traditional leaders to avoid ‘mistake’, back Tinubu for prosperity
Mr Wike said, “Supporting Tinubu is a support for prosperity.”
Heading 4
NAPTIP raises alarm over rise in parents’ facilitation of children’s sexual exploitation
The NAPTIP boss said parents and guardians were facilitating the sexual exploitation of their children to make money.
