Former Super Eagles midfielder Sylvanus Okpala has come out in defense of Nigerian national team coach Jose Peseiro amidst criticism over his squad selections for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Okpala stated that he does not like to question a coach’s chosen players. “It’s his discretion to pick whoever he wants to pick and leave out whoever he wants,” Okpala told Brila FM radio.
Peseiro has faced scrutiny from some quarters for leaving out forwards like Terem Moffi and midfielder Kelechi Nwakali. The inclusion of veteran captain Ahmed Musa and vice-captain William Troost-Ekong has also been met with skepticism by some fans and pundits.
However, Okpala, who in 2011 was an assistant Coach of the Super Eagles, believes the manager should have the final say in who makes the team.
“Every player has different characteristics, so he has to pick based on his strategy, the formation he wants to play,” Okpala remarked.
“That is why I don’t like to question the selection of coaches, who they have selected or who they have not selected. So I just leave it to the coach,” he added, staunchly defending Peseiro’s roster choices.
Nigeria is in Group A alongside host nation Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
Peseiro will be hoping his selected squad can help the Super Eagles claim their 4th African crown when the tournament kicks off on January 13th.
