17th December, 2012
Former Nigeria defender, Taribo West has declared that the Super Eagles will not win the 2013 African Cup of Nations.
Taribo, who was part of the Olympic football team that won gold medal at Atlanta 1996, said there are a lot of factors that will not work for the team.
“You know the team are just evolving and when teams are in the re-building process, it is very difficult to win any major trophy,” Taribo told goal.com early today.
“I am saying this because the Super Eagles would need another two years to become a better team. The young players are doing well. They have been able to show great courage and determination since Stephen Keshi took over.
“I have watched them at close quarters and noticed that they are a bunch that wants to succeed at all times. But sincerely speaking I don’t see them as champions at the 2013 African Cup of Nations.
“They will do their best in the tournament. They will create enough upsets but they will not win the trophy. Not because they are not good, but for the fact that it will take another two years of consistent hard work to become world beaters.
“Keshi has done well I must confess because there is a new lease of life in the team since the players now do their best in their clubs because they want to play for the Super Eagles.
“But, I am looking forward to seeing the Eagles getting their hands on the trophy in the next edition of the tournament,” Taribo said.
The Eagles will play in Group C of the Nations Cup against defending champions Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia.