Eagles’ AFCON Victory in Doubt, Udeze Highlights Team Concerns
Former Nigerian defender Ifeanyi Udeze has cast doubt on the Super Eagles’ chances of clinching the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), according to a report by The PUNCH.
While acknowledging the potential within the squad, Udeze emphasized a critical issue—the absence of a cohesive team structure necessary for triumph. “The AFCON is an open competition.
The Super Eagles have launched their campaign, ‘let’s do it again,’ and I think they can do it again,” said Udeze, adding, “We have the players to achieve that, but currently, we lack the team. The coach needs to blend these players together to form a cohesive team.
Right now, we have talented players, but they haven’t gelled as a collective unit.”In addition to concerns about team dynamics, Udeze urged the Nigerian Football Federation to fulfill its responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of timely payments of match bonuses for players and coaching staff.Despite reservations about the overall team structure, Udeze expressed confidence in the squad’s attacking prowess.
He stated, “We have our strikers doing very well in Europe; I think our attack will be a threat at this AFCON.
It is an attack that all the teams should be afraid of. I know our attack will be a very big threat, so, I will not say any one person is our biggest strength but I know we have the attack to threaten any team and get our results.”Jose Peseiro’s squad secured their AFCON ticket convincingly with a 6-0 victory over São Tomé and PrÃncipe in the last game of the qualifiers, placing them at the top of Group A.
As the Super Eagles gear up for the tournament, they will undergo preparations in Saudi Arabia before heading to Ivory Coast. The team carries the hopes of Nigerian fans, aiming to provide a reason for celebration on the AFCON stage.Credit / Punch News