“We just need to do the needful”- Ex-Barcelona attacker keeps faith in Super Eagles despite AFCON disappointment

The Super Eagles had a decent performance in the AFCON, but they faltered in the final

Former Super Eagles attacker Emmanuel Amunike has affirmed his confidence in the team despite losing the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations to Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria was struggling before the AFCON. Just before the competition, they failed to defeat minos like Mozambique and Lesotho, and there were doubts about their title credentials.

However, they performed above expectations and reached the final of the competition, defeating South Africa and Cameroon en route.

Unfortunately, for Jose Peseiro and his lads, they fortuitously lost to hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the final. Following their loss, former Barcelona attacker and Nigeria Under -17 coach has stated his belief that the team can take their form into the AFCON and World Cup qualifiers.

“We have a team, and you know this crop of players that are coming up now is a sort of blessing to Nigeria in terms of having players that are doing well in their respective clubs,” Amunike told News Central.

“What we need to do is to find a balance, how we can be able to manage and get the best from these players. We have players, and we shouldn’t be scared about whether the future is bright; we just need to do the needful.”

Nigeria will continue the World Cup qualifiers in June this year. Then, the AFCON qualifiers will begin in the second half of the year.