Dec. 1, 2023

Harrison Jalla, Chairman, Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) Task Force, says Super Eagles can’t make much impact in 2024 African Cup of Nations(AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, as they lack the tactical skills for the tournament.

Jalla told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday, that the team had lost its self esteem struggling to beat countries like Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

He said that changes had to be made and this changes had to be done early enough to avert a catastrophy when Nigeria would play at the AFCON 2024 in Cote D’Ivoire.

“Nothing has changed since Coach Jose Paseiro took over the Super Eagles, the team does not really lack talents both home and abroad, but what is missing is the managerial skills needed harness its potential, ” Jalla said.

He said that the Eagles had not been able to secure a good coach and a manager since the death of Stephen Keshi.

“Paseiro has no capacity to transform the team he has done too much damage by his technical ineptitude.

“Nigeria cannot afford to carry a baggage like Paseiro to the AFCON. The Super Eagles have lost their self esteem they now struggle with countries like Guinea Bissau, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

“Nigeria should forget about anything positive from AFCON if Paseiro is still in charge,” Jalla said.

He added that the solution is to build a brand new Super Eagles with home base players as its nucleus.

He said that a full fledge home base Super Eagles would have defeated Lesotho and Zimbabwe hands down.

24 countries will feature at the biennial competition which kicks off in Jan. 13 and ends in Feb. 11 with Nigeria drawn against host country Côte d’Ivoire (NAN)