A former assistant coach of the Nigerian nationwide soccer group, Sylvanus Okpala, has voiced his opinion on the present state of Nigerian soccer and the current controversies surrounding the group.
Okpala, in an interview with PUNCH On-line on Saturday, emphasised the necessity for homegrown options to the nation’s soccer challenges.
“Nigeria are going to Mount Kilimanjaro in search of a coach. They’re going to Mount Everest in search of the coach, however the coaches that may clear up Nigerian soccer drawback for now are underneath their ft right here in Nigeria,” Okpala said.
He added, “In the event that they ask me at present, I’ll choose myself together with 4 different coaches, and we are going to give Nigeria what they need right here in Nigeria.”
He added that there’s nonetheless an opportunity for the nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, emphasising the significance of the Tremendous Eagles securing qualification.
“Nigeria nonetheless has an opportunity to qualify for the World Cup. There’s little question about that one. Anyone that takes over and doesn’t qualify for the World Cup has failed as a result of we have to go to the subsequent World Cup and I let you know if we don’t go to the subsequent World Cup, there shall be numerous disaster in Nigerian soccer,” he stated.
Addressing the sooner controversy involving Victor Osimhen and the ex-national group coach, Okpala criticised each events for his or her dealing with of the state of affairs.
He stated, “Osimhen made some errors, however there are some errors additionally someplace too.”
Okpala, who received the AFCON title in 1980 as a participant and as an assistant coach in 2013, emphasised that coaches shouldn’t publicly criticise their gamers, stating, “A coach doesn’t have to criticise his gamers in public. It’s by no means achieved. Any good coach, you don’t criticise (your gamers) whether or not you win otherwise you lose.”
That is coming after former coach Finidi George was quoted to have stated he can’t beg Osimhen to play for the nationwide group after the participant withdrew from their final two 2026 World Cup qualifiers attributable to damage in June.
Talking additional, Okpala additionally dismissed claims that Nigerian gamers don’t respect native coaches.
He identified that respect is just not about race however about professionalism and man-management.
Reflecting on his time with the nationwide group, Okpala shared insights into participant administration.
He talked about Mikel Obi for instance of a consummate skilled, saying, “Mikel was the most effective skilled in our group, my very own private opinion, my very own private view from what I noticed.”
Okpala additionally supplied recommendation for future teaching appointments, suggesting that new coaches ought to prioritise assembly with gamers individually to debate methods and expectations.
“Step one I had anticipated him (Finidi) to take was to journey and meet with the boys,” he stated.
In the meantime, after a dismal begin to the marketing campaign, the NFF has not wavered in its resolve to call a overseas coach as a part of its plan to resurrect Nigeria’s goals of creating it to the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
Herve Renard, Tom Saintfiet, and former Mali coach Eric Chelle are stated to have made the NFF’s shortlist of coaches.
Herve Renard is taken into account the front-runner among the many contenders due to his information, together with profitable the African Cup of Nations with each Zambia and Côte d’Ivoire.
Moreover, Renard led Saudi Arabia to the FIFA World Cup in 2022, and he has proven his need to steer one other nation to the worldwide enviornment in 2026.