Okpala advises the NFF not to plead with any player to join the Eagles.
Sylvanus Okpala, a former assistant coach with the Super Eagles, has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and those in charge of the national team to refrain from pleading with players who were born outside of Nigeria to join the squad this season.
Speaking with The Guardian yesterday on the Super Eagles’ chances of success in the coming months, Okpala said that a player’s independence in choosing to represent Nigeria without external pressure would go a long way toward fostering a high level of commitment on the squad.
He said that Nigeria has a wealth of excellent players in both local and international competitions, players who are good enough to inspire Nigerians who were born abroad to play for their nation without being under any pressure.
“Coaches and the NFF must stop pleading with players to join the Super Eagles if they want to bring the team back to its heyday. The athlete should be left alone if he declines the opportunity to represent the Super Eagles, according to Okpala.
He says, “If a player feels pressured to represent the Super Eagles, he won’t give his all for the team. In a team, a player’s degree of commitment is crucial. If a team doesn’t have a strong sense of unity, even with the finest eleven players on it, it won’t prosper. One of the things putting the Super Eagles out of business is players beingg to play for Nigeria. Everywhere we look, there are skills that might inspire players who were born abroad to play for Nigeria.
Okpala said, “When I was Stephen Keshi’s assistant coach, we utilised both local and players with foreign bases. The Super Eagles’ level of dedication at the time was strong as a result of the competition among the players based abroad for a spot on the squad.
He remarked, “The current Super Eagles managers should work hard to bring in reputable players who are motivated for victory.” Okpala urged the NFF to develop a “fully crafted program to reposition the nation’s football from the grassroots level,” as he put it.
