AFCON 2023: “Talent Wins Games, Teamwork Wins Championships” - Ijeh backs Eagles to triumph in CIV

AFCON 2023: “Talent Wins Games, Teamwork Wins Championships” - Ijeh backs Eagles to triumph in CIV

By Admin

Ex-Super Eagles striker, Peter Ijeh, believes the Super Eagles will triumph at the next AFCON in Cote’d’Ivoire if they play as a team.

Jose Pesiero’s side, gunning for its fourth title, has been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea Bissau.

Peseiro, on Friday, announced his final 25-man squad for the forthcoming AFCON in Cote’d’Ivoire. The African football showpiece will run from January 13 to February 11, 2024.

In the final 25-man squad, the Portuguese tactician named African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, captain, Ahmed Musa, and Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabili.

Speaking with BCOS’ Boluwaji Ogunmola on Saturday Breakfast Sports from Portugal, the ex-Copenhagen FC striker Ijeh said, “With the caliber of players Nigeria has, I believe there shouldn’t be an excuse to move the team to the next level.

“Nigeria has always been blessed with talents, getting them to play as a team is an important factor, talent can win a game, but it takes a team to win a Championship like AFCON, so it depends on how the coach wants to make the talented players play like a formidable team.’

On how far the team can go, Ijeh said, “With the list of invited players, on paper, I am confident Nigeria will make the semifinal, but football is beyond wishful thinking and prayers, super eagles must work harder as a team to soar high in Ivory Coast.” 

Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabili, drafted in to solve the team’s goalkeeping crisis is joined by long-standing first-choice, Francis Uzoho and Enyimba FC goalie, Olorunleke Ojo who is the only home-based player in the squad.

Speaking on the Eagles’ goalkeeping crisis, Ijeh added, “It will not be a weak link, because it depends on the teams set up. In every formation, there is a way you set up you team that will not expose any position. It takes a tactical coach to work that out. When a deficiency is identified in a position then a coach must see how to play the opposite direction to protect the deficient position.

“The coach must ensure he tactically cover up any deficiency. Talent discovery and development helps to correct deficiencies in the National team,” he concluded.

He further advised the team to be wary of all the teams they face at the AFCON, as they must be ready to fight and dominate games so as to emerge Champions, as no team is a pushover.

During his playing days in the colours of Malmo, Ijeh finished as the top scorer in Allsvenskan with 24 goals in 2002, and he also won the Danish league title with FC Copenhagen in 2006.

After hanging his boots, Peter Ijeh took to coaching, and he has handled Assyriska BK as well as Swedish Division 2 club Vårgårda IK.