The Chairman of Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN), Harrison Jalla, on Saturday said that the current Super Eagles players have the team leadership to win their fourth AFCON title.
Jalla, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, also said that the grit, resilience, determination, courage and spirit to achieve was back in the team.
“Team leadership is the most essential ingredient in building a winning team and it started in the Nigerian National team from the days of Christian Chukwu as Captain to Segun Odegbami, Stephen Keshi, Uche Okechukwu, Sunday Oliseh and Mikel Obi,” Jalla said.
According to Jalla, if the team leadership synergy is right, there will be a team on and off the field; but that not all team captains are leaders in true sense of the word.
“A team leader is the master motivator, and when performance level drops his energy, motivation and drive can always be the turning point.
“Chairman Christian Chukwu, Stephen Keshi of blessed memory and Sunday Oliseh were exceptional and played perfect roles as team leaders in the past.
“The present set of Super Eagles have found the perfect leadership in William Troost-Ekong and Victor Osimhen; this right leadership chord makes the job of the technical crew easier.
“It also gives the team an edge over any other opponent, I say Kudos to the entire Super Eagles team the Technical crew,” Jalla said.
He also said that special thanks must also go to the President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan-Enoh, for the timely provision of funds to clear the backlog of outstanding and current match bonus and allowances.
“This moment in Nigeria football must be sustained; the very reason why the entire Nigeria football administrative structure must go through urgent reforms.
“There should be an amendment of the current NFF statute for proportional and equal representation while a constituency should be created for private sector participation.
“Nigeria’s 4th AFCON title is already in the Bag. Congratulations Nigeria, Congratulations Super Eagles.
“May the Souls of the departed patriots who died following the match between Nigeria and South Africa find eternal peace and rest;” he added.(NAN)