Former Super Eagles assistant coach, Sylvanus Okpala, said in an interview with Elegbete TV monitored by our correspondent Williams Chiemillie that the national team, with their rich football history and talent, should be dominating the continental stage, not fighting for qualification. He stressed that Nigeria’s football pedigree demands consistent AFCON victories, not mere participation.
What are Nigeria’s chances of going into the AFCON 2025?
No, we shouldn’t be talking about the chances of Nigeria qualifying for the Nations Cup. When Nigeria goes to the Nations Cup, we are going there to win, and nothing short of that is acceptable. Do we have the players?
Yes, we have talented players who are playing in their various clubs as first-team players. Even in 1994, some of the players were playing in the second division, and some did not even have a club.
But now we have players playing in their various clubs, and not only in good clubs. So, anytime we are going for the Nations Cup, Nigeria is going there to win.
If we don’t win, we aim to come second. If we come third, okay, let’s manage it, but anything apart from this will be a total failure in Africa.
It’s not a must to win, but every time we go, we have the players, and it’s left for the coaches to know how to manage these players. During our time with the late Stephen Keshi, we were able to manage the players and think ahead of time.
It’s left for the current coaches to do the same. I believe in coaching courses, but as a coach, you have to be innovative and creative. You need to have your own football concept or ideology and then borrow what fits into your own concept from others.
For example, in 2012, our first competitive competition match was against Rwanda in Kigali I remember during our time as players in the national team, our coach sometimes took us on a strenuous ball walk, doing many things with the ball and running with it.
I remember a time when I introduced a new way of warming up to my team. I decided to incorporate ball work into our warm-up routine in a gentle and non-strenuous manner.
This was back in 2012, and it was a different approach compared to what players in Europe were used to. When I introduced this innovative warm-up method using the ball, the players didn’t like it and complained to the coach, Keshi.
They preferred the traditional warm-up routine that they were familiar with. However, I had not seen this method used anywhere else, and I believed it could benefit the players in preparing for the game.
I thought that using the ball in the warm-up would help them transition smoothly into the game when the match started. I wonder if other coaches, especially those from different backgrounds, would consider using this method in the future.
The NFF is still looking for a coach, although Austin Eguavoen managed the national team very well for the last two matches….
Nigeria is searching for a coach, but the solution to their football problems may already be in Nigeria. “If they ask me today, I will select myself along with four other coaches, and we will give Nigeria what they want right here in Nigeria.
Victor Oshimen is the current African Footballer of the Year, what are your thoughts about his progress?
Oshimen is one of the best number nines I have ever seen in Nigerian football. He is aggressive, strong, fast, skillful, and has the great aerial ability. It’s always a delight to watch him play.
He gives his all in every game without relenting. My prayer for him is to stay free from injuries and to maintain good discipline in his behaviour and mindset. He needs to know when to talk and when not to, and to avoid ego and arrogance.
Respect for the game and fellow players is crucial. I believe he has a bright future ahead of him if he stays on the right track. I was disappointed in the past when African football awards were given to undeserving players, but I’m glad Oshimen’s talent was recognized.
I haven’t seen any complaints about his deserved win. I trust that the coaches will manage him well to bring out his best, both on and off the pitch. This applies not only to him but to all Nigerian players.
There are fears Nigeria may not qualify for the World Cup because of a poor start to the qualifiers, do you think the team can still turn the table?
Nigeria still has a chance to qualify for the World Cup. There’s no doubt about that one. We must qualify for the World Cup. If we fail to do so, Nigerian football will face a serious crisis.
The last time we missed out on qualification, I did everything in my power to prevent it. This time, we have to make sure we secure our spot, as not qualifying would be disastrous for our football community. Qualifying for the World Cup is essential for several reasons.
Firstly, it allows us to proudly represent our country on the global stage. Participating in the World Cup is the pinnacle of any player’s career, whether they are amateurs or professionals. It’s an achievement that marks their name in football history.
Financially, there are significant rewards for qualifying. We stand to earn around 15 million dollars for making it to the tournament, with the potential to earn more as we progress through the rounds. We must remain focused on this goal.
Which coach do you think was the greatest coach to lead the Super Eagles?
In my opinion, all the coaches are great because each one brings something different to the table. I believe that anyone who hasn’t played the game recently can only teach theory, not practical skills. I remember being coached by former retired footballers when I was in primary school.
Therefore, I urge those who have played professionally, either in Nigeria or abroad, to consider taking coaching courses. This could help elevate our football to the next level.
For instance, Jo Bofrere was considered an excellent coach, but due to certain rules, he may not be able to be a senior or chief coach in the Premier League. I’m not trying to diminish anyone’s abilities, but these are the rules.
What are your top seven all-time favourite Super Eagles players?
It’s very challenging for me to talk about this because it’s hard to recall and describe all the details accurately. Since I started watching and playing football, I’ve seen so many goals that I can’t remember all of them. However, I would like to highlight Odegbami’s goals in the final match of the 1980 AFCON.
One of his goals was a flick, but people tend to only focus on the result of a goal. It’s difficult for someone who hasn’t played the game to understand the complexities of scoring a goal, such as the positioning of the body and the movement of the legs.
Odegbami’s fantastic goal, which I’m referring to, didn’t involve taking any additional steps. If he had tried to readjust himself, the defenders would have taken the ball from him. This game took place about 40 years ago, and it showcased skills that are not often seen in today’s football.
Odegbami never played outside his home country, but his skills were remarkable. Another goal of his involved a volley from outside the penalty area. The ball bounced a bit before he struck it, and he managed to avoid letting it touch the ground again, which prevented the defenders and goalkeeper from blocking his shot.
Recently, I had a discussion with someone about Odegbami’s greatness, and it’s clear that he was a remarkable player. During our time, there were many great players, including Emmanuel Okpala, Adokie Amiesieamaka, Felix Owolabi, and the late Tunde Bamidele.