Former Nigeria international Victor Ezeji has demanded that the Super Eagles’ delegation at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations should be reminded of the country’s passion for football.
The three-time African champions are already in Ivory Coast to make their 20th appearance in the foremost African football competition this Sunday with their Group A opener against Equatorial Guinea at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe.
However, Jose Peseiro’s side are yet to win a game since their 6-0 thrashing of Sao Tome and Principe in their final AFCON qualifying fixture in September and they recently slumped to a 2-0 loss to Guinea in their final AFCON tune-up game.
Ezeji, who is a two-time CAF Champions League winner with Enyimba, tasked the NFF and the coaching crew to always sound notice of what is at stake to Super Eagles players in Ivory Coast.
“Someone needs to let the team know how passionate Nigerians are when it comes to football because if a game is lost, you would see Nigerians react like never before,” Ezeji told Afrosport. “That notice needs to be sounded to the players continuously so they know what is at stake.
“I think these players don’t really care as some of them don’t even have affiliations with Nigeria, the only thing they do is – from their base to airport, from airport to stadium, stadium back to hotel then they are gone. They don’t know how Nigerians feel when they lose a game.
“I was in Uyo for the World Cup qualifier against Lesotho that ended 1-1, we saw the reaction of people who were angry because they had every opportunity to win that game but they were too relaxed. That’s not how we play in Nigeria, we fight from the blast of the whistle, that should be in the back of their head.”
Ezeji who spent all of his playing career in Nigeria, ranks the Super Eagles as favourites for the glory in the Ivory Coast and he called on Jose Peseiro’s men to deliver the best performances they give in their respective European clubs.
He said: “Nigeria is a top contender for the title but it is all about taking chances Nigeria has the players and the talents but the problem is reciprocating their club form.
“We see how much they fight for the ball, how much they fight for everything when they play for their clubs but it is the other way round in the national team. If the boys can apply themselves again, I believe they will achieve success in Ivory Coast.”
