Connect with us

National Teams

‘I will do wonders’ – Sylvanus Okpala offers himself as Super Eagles head coach

Published

on

‘I will do wonders’ – Sylvanus Okpala offers himself as Super Eagles head coach
By Monsurah Olatunji

Sylvanus Okpala, a former Nigeria international, has thrown his hat into the ring for the position of head coach of the Nigerian men’s national team following the departure of Jose Peseiro.

Okpala was part of the victorious Nigerian team that clinched the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy. Additionally, he served as an assistant coach to Stephen Keshi when the Super Eagles secured their third AFCON title in 2013.

While acknowledging Peseiro’s efforts, Okpala emphasized that it was time for the Nigerian coaching role to be filled by someone with domestic experience.

Confident in his abilities, the former Enugu Rangers midfielder believes he has what it takes to lead the Super Eagles to glory, drawing on his experience as a player and assistant coach.

Reflecting on past successes, Okpala highlighted the differences between the current squad and the team he worked with in 2013.

“The only thing I can say about Peseiro is that he has tried his best, but the game goes on,” Okpala told Punch.
“I’m one of those that should replace him. I’ve won the Nations Cup as a player, and I have won it as an assistant coach to Keshi; the record is there. It is not easy. It’s not by luck or mathematics; it’s by knowledge.
“The team we went to South Africa with, you can’t compare them with these boys. We went there with home-based boys, playing in the Nigerian league. it was only Mikel (Obi), even Mikel wasn’t a regular player in Chelsea then when he came with us. Then Amunike, and I think Musa too.
“We had only about one year with the boys then, but this team has spent over 2 years together. We have players that can win the World Cup. So yes, if I am given a chance, I will do wonders with these boys.”

 

author avatar
Nigeria Football
Continue Reading
.

Mobile applications

Our mobile app is optimized for your phone. Download it for free!

Connect With Us

© 2025, nigeriafootball | All Rights Reserved.