Austin Eguavoen, a former Super Eagles defender, has said that the elimination of the Super Eagles from the ongoing Africa Nations Cup (AFCON) qualifiers meant that the team has to show more commitment.
Eguavoen said on Saturday in Aba, Abia, that the Eagles must step up its performance in order to return to its winning ways.
?The former two-time Super Eagles Coach said he was still stunned that football giants like Cameroon, Egypt, and South Africa could not participate in the Gabon-Equatorial Guinea AFCON tournament.
The newly appointed Technical Adviser of Enyimba FC of Aba said he was also baffled that Ghana and Senegal could not make it to the finals in spite of their awesome pedigree.
“That is why every country has to wake up and be serious about it, because if you are not serious lesser football countries would eliminate you.
“That is exactly what we are seeing now, Zambia beating Ghana in the semi-finals and Senegal not winning a single game with its star studded squad.
“One thing most accomplished teams failed to realise is the fact that minnows usually step up their game when they find themselves playing stronger sides,’’the Enyimba technical adviser said.?????????
Eguavoen, however, said the finals on Sunday between Zambia and Cote d’ Ivoire would be a difficult encounter for the two teams involved.
“It is not going to be easy for either team, the Elephants are a complete team, while the Chipolopolo got better with each match they played in the tournament.
“In every AFCON the Zambians have participated in; they always performed well. We know that the last time they got to the finals in 1994 they gave the Super Eagles a tough fight before they lost 2-1.
“The Elephants would throw everything they have into this match to see that they emerge as the victorious side at the end of the encounter.”