Nigeria’ll Win 2022 AFCON Trophy, Now My Key Prayer Point – Sunday Dare
A local replacement for the Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr, is likely soon as Sunday Dare, the Youth and Sports Development Minister, stated that former football stars need to be given the opportunity to help build the team.
Platforms Africa reports that Dare also declared that he was hopeful the Super Eagles would win their fourth (4th) Africa Cup of Nations title next year.
Speaking in Lagos at the Total Energies African Cup of Nations(AFCON) Trophy Tour, he said he believed that despite finishing in third (3rd) place at the last edition of the tournament in Egypt, they could do better in January 2022.
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“I have created the mental picture of this golden(AFCON) trophy in my head and I will use it as a prayer point every morning,” he said.
Speaking further, he said the country needs to be deliberate with talent discovery and managing them till they get to the peak of their careers.
“We have countless examples of how we got this system working in the past. We must do it again. There must be consistent focus on the grassroots, school sports, provision of facilities, equipment and training gears. Competitions organized will also toughen and sharpen the talents.
“Clearly we have enough talents here, we just need to put in the hardwork to discover them,” he added.
According to him, former football stars need to be given the opportunity to help build a team.
In his words, “From the history of Nigeria’s performance at the AFCON, we have seen the impactful roles of indigenous handlers and former stars.
“Look at ‘chairman’ Christian Chukwu and Kadiri Ikhana who became accomplished coaches after their 1980 exploits.
“We can also speak about Stephen Keshi(of blessed memory) and what he achieved as a coach and a player, others like Austin Eguavoen, Samson Siasia and Sunday Oliseh have all coached the Super Eagles and made their marks on the game.
“Let our former football stars and sports icons who have done Nigeria proud and who understand the DNA of Nigerian football be given the opportunity to help build a team, ” he added.
In his remarks, the Managing Director, Total Energies Marketing Nigeria Plc, Samba Seye who was represented by Lesley Baxter Executive Director Secretary General said the company is committed to the development of sports especially in Africa.
“As a way to connect with Africa and show our love and support for Africans, we have partnered with Confederation of African Football (CAF). There is no doubt that Football is the most popular and most loved sport in Nigeria. It is a unifying factor. We all celebrate together when we win; we brood together when we lose.
This is why we are having the trophy tour in Nigeria.
This tour is displaying the actual golden trophy; the much-coveted trophy that will be given to the TotalEnergies AFCON winner. The tour will see the celebration of football across our country, particularly in Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Abuja. This tour will be an opportunity to celebrate this monumental tournament and give our beloved Nigerians a feel of the tournament rush.
We are fully committed to supporting AFCON in every way possible, in consonance with our passion for the development of African football.
We look forward to our Nigerian Team excelling at the TotalEnergies AFCON Tournament. We enjoin the players to remain focused and committed to the sport. We are also using this medium to send our support to the Super Eagles and the NFF.
Our company will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that Nigerians fully enjoy and experience the tournament.
We will not only be providing Nigerians with viewing centers, but we will also be powering existing viewing centers, all in a bid to ensure that our much loved sport is watched comfortably with no power interruptions. We want Nigerians to relax, enjoy the games and be happy,” he added.
