Sylvanus Okpala, a former midfielder for the Super Eagles, has announced his desire and readiness to take charge as Nigeria coach, emphasising his belief that he is the most qualified candidate to lead the squad.
The managerial position for the Super Eagles is currently vacant following the departure of Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, who completed his contract with the three-time AFCON champions on February 29, 2024.
Peseiro guided Nigeria to a second-place finish at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. On March 1, 2024, Peseiro confirmed his departure with a post on his official X handle.
Nigerian legend and current Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Augustine Eguavoen, was reportedly appointed to act on an interim basis until a permanent manager is appointed.
However, recent reports in the Nigerian media revealed that the NFF had offered an enhanced contract extension to the Portuguese trainer, suggesting that he continue his tenure as the head coach of the Super Eagles.
Okpala says why he should be Nigeria coach
Despite acknowledging Peseiro's contributions as Nigeria's head coach, Okpala emphasized the importance of appointing a Nigerian for the coaching role, stating, “The only thing I can say about Peseiro is that he has tried his best, but the game goes on.”
When questioned about a potential successor, he quipped, “I’m one of those that should replace him. For the fact that we have been in this issue of getting to quarter-finals, and semi-finals, that is a wrong way of employing a coach.
“I mean, whenever Nigeria is going to the Nations Cup, we are going there to win, but it is not a must you must win. But we must present a team to win and not just participate.
“Our players are abroad based players, and most of them are playing against each other, either in the Italian league or so on, so they get the same training, so when we are going to the World Cup, we should be thinking about winning the World Cup.
“We might not qualify from the group stage, but we must go there with the mindset to win.”
He further emphasised that Nigeria should make every effort to secure qualification for the World Cup.
“To qualify now for World Cup is going to be very difficult, difficult in the sense that we are in the same group with South Africa, so we must be very careful. and if Nigeria does not qualify for another World Cup, there will be a lot of crisis in Nigerian football,” he added.
The 62-year-old again noted the need for the Nigerian team to elevate its standards, expressing confidence in its ability to win the World Cup.
“Getting to the semifinals of the World Cup is no longer news in Africa because Morocco has gotten to the semifinals in the last World Cup. I think Africa should be talking about winning the World Cup. It is the same football; the difference is the mentality,” he gushed.
Okpala, while acknowledging that the strategies of the former Super Eagles coach were not flawed, remarked, “Peseiro is a good coach; he’s not bad.
“I think the problem with him is that when you’re thinking about what to play, you must also think about what the other team will play and make sure that you stop them from playing what they’re supposed to play and play what you’re supposed to play.
“But I think he was so much on what he was going to play. What if the other team overwhelms your team? What do you do?”
Regarding the open Super Eagles managerial role, he also emphasised the importance of considering knowledge and experience in the selection process, asserting that he possesses both qualifications.
“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,” he continued.
“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 only one year with the boys then, but this team has spent over 2 years together. We have players that can win the World Cup.”
He further pointed out that in 2013, Nigeria weren't considered the favourite to win compared to Ivory Coast, who boasted “one of the best African teams ever.”
Despite this, Nigeria managed to defy expectations and prove them wrong.
When questioned about whether he was the most suitable candidate to lead Nigeria, Okpala responded, “Yes, if I am given a chance.”
He pointed out that during the 2013 achievement, the NFF had already purchased return flight tickets for the Super Eagles when they were scheduled to face Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals, indicating a lack of confidence in the team's success. Nevertheless, the team persevered.
“We sat down and planned a strategy and that strategy worked.” “So yes, if I am given a chance, I will do wonders with these boys,” he noted.
However, he indicated that even if he wasn't appointed as the head coach, he could still contribute his expertise and experience to the team, stating that, “coaches are born, not made.”
“I’m very good at reading games, and that gives me an advantage too,” he concluded.
What you need to know about Okpala
Okpala is a former Nigerian footballer who made significant contributions both domestically and internationally.
Born on 5 September 1961, Okpala began his club career playing for Enugu Rangers in Nigeria before venturing to Portugal, where he featured for clubs like C.S. Marítimo and C.D. Nacional in the Portuguese Liga.
On the international stage, Okpala represented Nigeria at the highest level, participating in the 1980 and 1988 Summer Olympics. He was also a key member of the Nigerian national team that clinched the prestigious African Cup of Nations title in 1980.
Following his illustrious playing career, Okpala transitioned into coaching. On 8 November 2011, he took on the role of assistant manager for the Nigeria National Team, leveraging his wealth of experience to support the team's endeavours.
