‘Eagles Can’t Lose Next Game’

Irrespective of the controversy surrounding the next game of the Super Eagles which bothers on whether to play Peru or Gabon next in an international friendly, former Assistant General Secretary, Technical Department of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, James Peters, says the team cannot afford to lose their next game.

Peters opined that having lost the clash in Dubai against the Pharoahs of Egypt in a keenly contested encounter that recorded five goals, with Egypt winning 3-2, and despite the accolades that trailed the performance of the team completely made of local professionals, the Super Eagles must win their next game in order to raise the morale of the local players and avoid being crucified by Nigerians.

“Whether Eagles will play Peru or Gabon is not the problem. The task now is that the Super Eagles must win their next friendly game. It will help in the FIFA ranking. It will also help the local professionals regain their confidence in the team which the loss in Dubai may have punctured. So, Keshi and his boys must win their next game,” Peters informed PM Sports.

“Somehow, from the technical point of view, it is good that the team lost to Egypt in Dubai. You know these players may become over confident and start thinking that they have arrived, which is the problem of most Nigerian players. But Keshi must psyche them to know the importance of winning their next game because if they lose again, Nigerians may start calling for their heads,” he added.

The former coach of the U-23 team also said that the technical crew should remain focused in their rebuilding process and be prepared to play whichever teams the NFF lines up in friendly games as he insisted that there are no easy games anymore. So, whether it is Gabon or Peru next, what Nigerians are clamouring for, is to see the Eagles back to their winning ways.

“ We saw what Gabon played at the Nations Cup early this year. That will tell Nigerians that the team will not be a walkover for the Super Eagles. And for Peru, any South American team will surely be a strong test for the Eagles, that is the reason, Keshi and his players must prepare adequately for these games.

—Francis Achi, Abuja