Adegboye Onigbinde, a former Super Eagles Chief Coach, has urged the team’s handlers to put more efforts into improving the team
at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Onigbinde told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Ibadan that more work still needed to be done on the team in spite of beating the hosts.
NAN reports that the Nigerian senior male football team beat their Ivorian hosts 1-0 on Thursday in Abidjan in their Group A Match Day 2 fixture.
Onigbinde who noted that the victory was a morale-booster for the team said he was happy that Nigeria won and was hopeful it would keep on with the good performance.
He however had words of caution for the team and its handlers.
”There’s no magic behind it, but hard work and good planning, and that’s what I have been preaching in Nigerian football.
“They (the team’s coaches) need to keep doing what they have been doing, improve on the players’ mental state and ensure they are one step ahead of their opponents,
“I was with world football governing body FIFA for 20 years and the African body CAF 25 years. I wasn’t sacked. I voluntarily left both positions which I occupied.
“But it’s unfortunate that in Nigeria, they don’t want me to talk about football, and when I do, they don’t appreciate it,” the former coaching instructor said.
He pointed out that Thursday’s win was proof that Nigeria has the talents.
”I’m happy we beat the host nation, because I know what we went through in 1984 when they hosted and we got to the final where we lost to Cameroon.”
Onigbinde added that for one to accurately evaluate a match, one has to be physically present at a match venue.
“One has to be present because there are a lot of things that won’t be seen via footage on television.
“In countries where football is taken seriously, it’s not just coaches that are attached to teams for competitions. Also included were technical analysts.
“The analysts are people who are experienced in evaluating players even while the matches are ongoing. This was what I did for CAF and FIFA.
“But the problem with Nigerian football is not technical but administrative.
“I have traveled all over the world on football matters, and I don’t think I’m exaggerating that there’s no country blessed with football talents than Nigeria.
“But what are we doing with the talents?” he demanded.
Onigbinde who later went on to manage the Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan at its formative stage said Nigeria lacked development programmes which can help improve its football.
“Talents and interests abound in this country, but the administrative framework to get things right is the problem.
“FIFA and CAF have developmental programmes we can benefit from, and even if they don’t have, we as a country should have.
“But I don’t blame people who are against what I say. However, I will appreciate if they can replace that with the truth if they believe I am wrong,” he said.
