Former Tremendous Eagles striker John Utaka has urged warning within the wake of Nigeria’s painful failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting {that a} full overhaul of the squad can be the incorrect response forward of subsequent month’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Utaka, who represented Nigeria at two World Cups and was identified for his blistering tempo and self-discipline, argued that the present squad should not be dismantled regardless of the nationwide disappointment.
He stated that whereas feelings are understandably excessive, tearing up the staff at this stage would solely create instability earlier than a significant continental match.
In keeping with the previous Montpellier and Portsmouth ahead, the present group of gamers has developed chemistry over time — one thing he believes is essential for match soccer.
Utaka harassed that introducing a brand new staff now would reset the progress made and power the teaching crew to start out from zero, a danger that Nigeria can’t afford with AFCON solely weeks away.
He acknowledged that errors had been made in the course of the World Cup qualification marketing campaign however insisted that the gamers have to be allowed to appropriate these errors collectively. Utaka believes continuity, not panic-driven change, gives Nigeria the perfect likelihood of mounting a severe problem in Morocco.
The previous Tremendous Eagles star additionally famous that whereas contemporary legs will finally be wanted as a part of long-term planning, that course of ought to be gradual and strategic reasonably than emotionally pushed.
He dismissed the concept the squad ought to be torn down merely due to one failure — at the same time as painful as lacking a second consecutive World Cup.
Utaka urged the NFF and training employees to focus totally on AFCON preparations, calling for correct planning, early tenting, and a united entrance.
He emphasised that the gamers now have one thing to show and that the frustration of the playoff defeat may gasoline a decided response on the continental showpiece.
