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Dare ‘pictures’ Eagles lifting 2021 AFCON trophy, wants more local football content

SPORTS minister Sunday Dare is confident the Super Eagles will excel at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, even going as far as winning the tournament.

The continent’s top football competition will be held in Cameroon from 9 January to 6 February 2022, with Nigeria drawn in Group D alongside Egypt, Sudan and Guinea Bissau.
Nigeria finished third at the last edition of the tournament in Egypt two years ago and the minister believes they can go all the way in Cameroon to win their fourth title and their first since 2013.

“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,” Dare told journalists and officials of AFCON sponsors TotalEnergies on Monday at the press conference to herald the three-day trophy tour of Lagos, Nigeria.

Dare recalled that Nigeria is the country with the most medals in the history of the competition, winning medals 15 times from of 18 appearances.

The Super Eagles have won the tournament thrice (1980, 1994 and 2013), finished as runners-up four times and won bronze eight times.

Dare also insisted that the local content of Nigerian football must improve if the country desires to compete favourably at the global stage.

“We have to do more for the local ecosystem of our game,” he noted.

“We have to be deliberate with talent discovery, nurturing of the talents discovered and managing them to get to the top of the ladder in their careers and stay there till they retire.

“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 gear.

Competitions organised will also toughen and sharpen the talents.

“Look at Henry Nwosu, the schoolboy that made the Green Eagles squad to the 1980 AFCON.

“Look also 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.

“Clearly we have enough talents here, we just need to put in the hard work to discover them.

“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. From the history of Nigeria’s performance at the AFCON, we have seen the impactful roles of indigenous handlers and former stars.”

Dare then commended the Confederation of African Football for organising a competition for schools sponsored by the foundation of the CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, while congratulating them for the successful organisation of the just concluded CAF Women’s Champions League.

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Naija Times