By Frank Momoh
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, on Wednesday called on the newly appointed Coach of the Super Eagles, Mr. Jose Peseiro, to work towards rebuilding a new, strong and formidable Senior National Team for Nigeria.
Dare gave the charge when he received the new Super Eagles Coach, Jose Peseiro, in his office, in Abuja.
According to him, the country is presently rebuilding its team and therefore needs a very competitive and strong Super Eagles which can be gotten through the provision of opportunities for the raw talents that abound in the domestic leagues to showcase themselves, adding further that he should make it a blend of home and foreign players.
The Minister urged the Portuguese gaffer to hit the ground running with a view to restoring the confidence of Nigerians in the team after the unfavourable 2021 AFCON outings.
While charging the Coach to ensure consistency and discipline in the team on and off the pitch, he added: “Let your decisions be governed at all times by merit over sentiments, performance over gratification.”
The Minister described Nigerians as a sports loving people whose love for the Super Eagles makes them desire victory for the team in all their matches, stressing that their teeming supporters would therefore love to see hunger and commitment on the part of players in all their matches
He called on the new Coach to embrace Nigeria as a second home and leverage on the opportunity given him by the Football Federation to give the national team a face-lift.
“Go and conquer, start with a good victory over Sierra Leone tomorrow and follow up with another good win in Morocco next Monday, let the winning attitude and spirit go on and on and on”, Dare said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, in the Ministry, Mr. Ismaila Abubakar, called on the new Coach to bring his wealth of experience on board while also soliciting for the support of all Nigerians in the task of rebuilding the national team for greater successes.
He assured that the Ministry will continue to support the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and will also ensure a conducive environment for the rebuilding of the Super Eagles Team.
Also speaking, the newly appointed Super Eagles Coach, Jose Peseiro commended Nigeria, the Ministry and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the opportunity given to him to lead the national team.
While describing Nigeria as the fifth Football nation in Africa, Peseiro assured that under his watch, Nigeria will win the next African Cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoire, next year.
According to him, “I came here with one goal; I want to win the next AFCON for my fantastic players and for Nigerians. I am confident because I believe in this team, I believe in the quality and the number of good players. I have followed Nigeria’s history in football from the 1994 and other successful teams and I want to bring back that joy again.”