NIGERIA International, Peter Olayinka, has advised compatriots to forget the disappointment of missing out of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and rather concentrate on how the Super Eagles will successfully navigate the qualifiers for the 2023 Afcon due to take place in Cote d’Ivoire.
Nigerians are still smarting from the loss of Qatar 2022 ticket to neighbour-rival, Ghana, but Olayinka, the Slavia Prague striker suggests the way out.
“The miss to Qatar is hurtful,’’ Olayinka informed Sportingtribune.
“As a top player, I looked forward to playing for Nigeria at the World Cup, so missing out of Qatar is devastating. However, that chapter is close and of immediate concern to us as Nigerians is how we make it to the Nations Cup”.
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Already, Nigeria has been grouped alongside Sierra Leone, Sao Tome Principe and Gunea Bissau but Olayinka does not think the Eagles have any advantage over these group opponents.
“Personally, I have high regards for international football. Qualifying for the Nations Cup is never easy. Countries who find it difficult to reach the World Cup finals see going to the Nations Cup as a right. They fight a lot to get the slot. No qualifiers is easy, the FA has to be meticulous by providing travelling comfort for the team and the players have to endure different weather and climate as they journey through and across.”
Olayinka was at the 2021 Afcon in Cameroon and was able to see firsthand what countries like Comoros Island were able to do.
The stakes are high at the Nations Cup and with what we saw of Comoros the other time, things are likely to be more competitive.
The gangly forward is awaiting the announcement of a new head coach for the Super Eagles and is optimistic the Federation will do a nice job at appointing a good manager for the Super Eagles.
“It is all up to the Federation to do the needful.
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“As players we are just comfortable with whoever is appointed. Ours is to defend the pride and colour of Nigeria. The last time, the technical crew did a good job but we all knew they were on duty on interim basis. Now we are looking to working with the substantive head. We pray all will be well.”
On teams purporting to sign him in England, France and Spain, Olayinka said he was aware of interests but will rather concentrate on his career at Prague.
“Don’t forget, I am one of the club’s captains, I can’t be looking here and there when the club is asking me to lead the team. My loyalty still stands with Slavia Praque,” he said.