Chelsea of England’s former high striker and Ivory Coast legend, Didier Drogba has come out with a daring declaration that the Tremendous Eagles of Nigeria are nonetheless an excellent group that must be revered on a regular basis.
Sports247 stories that many Nigerians are sulking over the Eagles’ incapacity to get an computerized qualification ticket to subsequent 12 months’s FIFA World Cup, however Drogba argued that even the very best groups throughout the globe don’t win matches on a regular basis.
The previous two-time African Footballer of The Yr additional identified that seeing the Eagles emerge second on the final Cup of Nations in his nation was additional affirmation of Nigeria’s consistency and their high quality, regardless of not successful the competitors.
Drogba, who additionally famous the excessive ranges of gamers like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman within the Tremendous Eagles, went on to scold the ever-insatiable array of Nigerian soccer followers who all the time write off the nationwide group as soon as they lose a match.
The previous fearsome hitman identified, “It doesn’t imply that your group just isn’t good. They play effectively, get to the ultimate, and you’re supporting them.
“However, as soon as they lose, rapidly you say they’re so unhealthy, and also you wave them away. From proper to left, the assault comes, and it’s all the time like that in Africa … it’s all the time like that.
“For me, although, when you end second in Africa, it’s like Chelsea ending second within the Premier League. However, you’ve gained it earlier than and so they need you to win it once more. That’s the extent of expectation round right here.”
Drogba admitted {that a} sturdy need for victory can by no means be taken away from the guts of soccer followers after which charged Nigeria’s directors to look nearer at exterior points that normally have an effect on the gamers, then work out how to make sure they carry out higher of their future matches.
“I feel your group remains to be good. You’ve obtained Osimhen and Lookman, the final two Ballon d’Or nominees and Africa’s finest. So, you will have a group that may carry out, however that doesn’t imply the opposition will simply look on and will let you win. So, it’s a must to consider your title and examine what is going on behind the scenes.
“Your title is one factor, however an important issue is what’s occurring behind you. Since they haven’t gained the Cup of Nations and also you suppose they don’t seem to be doing effectively, which means there could also be issues someplace,” he inferred.
Though Drogba stopped wanting particularly stating points which may have affected the Eagles in current months, he hinted that off discipline elements could possibly be accountable for their woes and reiterated: “With out these issues, I feel they’re a really sturdy group.”
Sports247 gathered that Drogba’s verdict could also be helpful fairly early, as high photographs of Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) are already planning in direction of making certain the group wins the upcoming CAF qualification play-offs in Morocco, the place the Eagles will tango Gabon on November 13 and search to win the ultimate of the sixteenth.
The winner of that fixture will get Africa’s sole ticket to the Intercontinental Playoffs billed for March 2026 in Mexico, the place six nations will tussle for 2 slots into the FIFA World Cup correct.
