Nations Cup open for Eagles to grab, says Owumi

By Eddie Akalonu

Former Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League, Davidson Owumi has expressed hope that the Super  Eagles will rank among the best teams in the African Cup of Nations in South Africa next year even as he  agreed that other top playing countries want the cup too.

“It is open and we can grab it if the country can be more aggressive with good preparation and  if the players put in the best effort,” he said.

Speaking to Saturday Vanguard Sports, the ex- Enugu Rangers hit-man and team manager said the Eagles can get to the top if they want it adding that, “a good performance by the team now that we have so many dark sides in our football will be a boost for moving the game forward.

If the team is successful, that would act as a catalyst for growth of our league and the game itself because given the present dispensation, the young ones, the players in our clubs will look up to the current crop of Eagles and coaches as role models.”

While he welcomed the current effort to rebuild the national team, Owumi insisted that the team’s handlers and those who run the game in the country should be mindful that the process collides into a major tournament.

“Rebuilding the team is okay since we want the best and I commend the entry of new names like Victor Moses and other players that have made the team. So if there is a good team and we are be more focused, that will give confidence to the coaches to run the competition programme,” he said.

He however, predicts that  it’s going to be tough but  recommended hard work as the only right way to take, stressing “if right steps are taken, by competition time, we would have been ready and that is the stand-point to scale through the group stage and go all the way.

But like I said, we have to be more aggressive with preparations because it is open for the best teams, and I know we are rated among the best,” he added.