By Emmanuel Adeleke
Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare, has charged the new Head Coach of Super Eagles, José Santos Peseiro, to make the team a blend of the very best of Nigerian players based in the diaspora and home.
Dare stated this when the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) formally presented Peseiro to him in Abuja, on Wednesday.
Dare said the ministry will assist in the rebuilding process of the team by providing a conducive environment for the Portuguese to use his best efforts and endeavour to restore the confidence of football-loving Nigerians and the government in the Super Eagles.
The minister told the coach that Nigerians want their national teams to win every game, even though that is an impossibility in sport.
“Whenever the team does not win, it must be clearly seen to have demonstrated high-level commitment, fervour, consistency and discipline on and off the pitch.
“In order to be able to appreciate the deep love of our people for the game and why they want their team to win all the time, you have to live in our country, enjoy our food, our weather, our hospitality.
“I want to let you know that the process that produced you was governed by diligence, commitment and spirit of team work, and indeed very thorough. I believe that you will use this opportunity to make a mark by leading the Super Eagles to new heights,” Dare said.
The minister further told Peseiro to ensure a solid win for the Super Eagles against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in the Nations Cup qualifier on Thuraday.
Earlier, NFF second vice president, Shehu Dikko, who stood in for NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, appreciated Dare and the ministry for the support and guidance during the process that produced Peseiro.
He reiterated that the Portuguese ticked all the boxes for the Super Eagles, having coached in four continents, worked with big clubs and big players, and demonstrated a keen desire to work with the Super Eagles.
Speaking, Peseiro thanked the government and people of Nigeria for the opportunity, stressing that he is fully committed to the objective of winning the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire next year.
“I have always loved the Nigeria team, ever since I watched them play at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. It is a team with solid pedigree. Presently, we have both quality and quantity of players and it is always a good situation for any team,” the coach said.
