Abuja, Nigeria: In a candid revelation, former Super Eagles captain and football legend Christian Chukwu expressed deep concern over the current state of Nigeria’s national football team, asserting that the nation lacks an actual national squad.
Chukwu, a guest on the Channels Television program, ‘Channels Sports Sunday,’ went on to lament the lack of opportunities for home-based players to develop and contribute to the team’s success.
A key point of contention for Chukwu is the current setup involving Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro, who operates from abroad. Chukwu argues that for the team to truly thrive, the coach must be based in Nigeria, allowing him to discover local talents and nurture them into formidable players.
The former captain’s impassioned plea emphasizes the need for a more immersive and consistent approach to training and development.
“Our coach should come and stay with us in Nigeria,” Chukwu insisted. “When you don’t camp and train [local talents], we come on Thursday, they train on Friday, play on Saturday, and disperse again. We don’t have a team.”
Chukwu’s call is rooted in the belief that Nigeria possesses a wealth of untapped talent within its local league. He advocates for a shift away from the current practice of foreign-based coaches coming to train players for specific matches and then departing.
According to Chukwu, this approach leaves the national team lacking cohesion and identity.
The football icon argues, “We have players who are very good, better than the foreign-based players, but they don’t have the opportunity.”
Chukwu believes that by giving home-based players the chance to showcase their skills, they can complement the strengths of their foreign-based counterparts, creating a more balanced and formidable team.
Drawing on his own coaching experience with the Super Eagles from 2003 to 2006, Chukwu emphasizes the importance of investing in local talent. He urges the coach to reside in Nigeria, working collaboratively with the players and utilizing the rich pool of talent available within the country.
“Let us work together. We are ready to help him with whatever he wants to achieve,” Chukwu asserted.
Despite Nigeria’s qualification for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, concerns loom large over the team’s performance.
Jose Peseiro’s coaching methods have faced scrutiny, and reports suggest tension regarding outstanding allowances.
In November, Peseiro reportedly rebuffed suggestions from the Nigeria Football Federation Technical Committee, stating that they should not teach him his job but instead focus on settling financial matters.
As the Super Eagles grapple with their form and internal challenges, Chukwu’s impassioned plea serves as a rallying cry for a recalibration of the team’s approach.
The debate surrounding the role of local talents versus foreign-based stars is critical, and the nation watches eagerly to see if the authorities heed the call for change and revitalization in Nigeria’s football landscape.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
