Shina Phillips, the Managing Director of Matchmakers Consult International, organizers of the Nigeria Pitch Awards and Africa LAMPS Awards says there must be a program for the development of football in Nigeria.
Phillips, who called on the technical crew of the Super Eagles to make it more formidable and respectable among other teams in Africa, said the numerical strength of the country should be an added advantage.
He spoke in an interview in Lagos while reflecting on the Super Eagles chances in qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“Where is the future of our football? The hope is that one day the Super Eagles will win the World Cup and not just winning but ranked among the best in the world.
“We are celebrating the last AFCON 2023 qualifiers win over Sierra Leone. The game we struggled to win coming from a goal down.
“I am not underrating any team in Africa but they are no match.
“Truth should be told, the Super Eagles should do better and be at the level we are seen; defeating the Brazilians, Argentines and other European countries, because we are a soccer-loving country with great numerical strength.
“We have a larger pool of talented players we can source from and not struggling to beat smaller countries,’’ he said.
Phillips said, “The Super Eagles need a stable team and a dependable first team. I have said it that the last coach of the team, Gernort Rohr did not give us any team.
“I just hope that the present Manager, Jose Paseiro will be able to give us the team we want.
“We may not need an array of superstars but a formidable team like Germany and Argentina. Those consistent, will not rely on past glories.
“We can win the World Cup but not with this type of attitude.
“We need a definite program and a sound technical crew that will source for players who are hungry to do the nation proud.’’
He noted that the Super Eagles were losing their prestige as the powerhouse of African soccer, based on their dwindling fortunes at the international competitions in recent time.
“When I look at the current squad of our national team and compare with what we have had before, then I want to say that we deserve better and we can do better.
“Looking at the recent matches, can we say that we are among the giants of football in Africa? Nigeria should be among the top five football great nations in the world and not even Africa.
“This is the time we need to begin to talk about our status as a footballing nation in Africa, because now, we are struggling to beat lesser ranked countries in Africa, whereas we must command respect.
“We cannot continue to depend on the past glories of the Super Eagles. If we are to ask ourselves the question. Are we still commanding respect in Africa? ’’ he asked.
