BY SAB OSUJI

 

Nwankwo Kanu, a former captain of the U23 Eagles and winner of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games men's football gold medal, the first ever by any African country, has voiced his support for newly appointed Super Eagles Head Coach, Bruno Labbadia, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

'Papilo', as he's fondly called by his admirers, reckons that since those saddled with the responsibility of selecting a coach for the senior National Team, Super Eagles, have gone around and decided that Bruno Labbadia is the right man for the Super Eagles job, Nigerians only to support him and the team and pray that their decision turns out to be a good one that will lead the country to 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.

"For me, it's a good news that NFF have finally appointed a new coach for the Super Eagles", starts the UEFA Champions League winner with Ajax.

"This is because we must have to go (into the AFCON and remaining W/Cup qualifiers) with a coach. Either you use the ones that are already there or you appoint a new one. And which they have done by appointing a new coach.

"I think that the people whose duty it is to pick a coach for us must have checked, gone around and they believe that this (Bruno Labbadia) is the right person for Nigeria. So, we only have to support them and wish that their decision will be a good one that will lead the country to qualify".

Kanu admitted that Laddia's arrival appears somehow late but insisted that those responsible for the appointment must have been delayed by the need to do a decent, thorough job.

"Of course, it's late. But I believe that if you ask anybody or any of them, they will say its good they take their time in order to get the right person who can do the job for Nigeria.

"But for a person who's outside, like us, it's not really good because it has taken long time in coming. What we need to do is to pray but at the same time we have the players who have been there together for long.

"If its to get the result, definitely they will get the result. But its a difficult one because he'll only train with the players for just a week fore a game of such magnitude.

"But I believe in Nigeria, I believe in the players. Whoever comes in there will do a good job".

The Super Eagles have not fared well in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers where they stand a potential risk of missing out in the global showpiece following three draws and a defeat in the group qualification series.

But Kanu reckons that the three-time African Champions can still remedy the situation and navigate their way through to USA/Mexico/Canada in 2026.

"If you look at the group standings, the points gap isn't really much. So we still have chance and we can still make it. Its just that we really must have to remain focused and must not make any mistakes now.

"Every point now counts. And I know that whosoever is the coach, whosoever that's in charge knows what I'm saying. It's very crucial, very important that we don't drop any points any more; we just have to get all the points now and I believe that with the players that we have, definitely we'll win (all the remaining games) and qualify", Papilo submitted.