Former Super Eagles dependable defender, Uche Okechukwu has pleaded with the Nations football fans to be patient with the current Super Eagles squad, saying that the team needs time to fully mature.

Okechukwu who was one of the ex Super Eagles players that graced the Nwankwo Kanu testimonial match told 2muchsports.com that the team has all the element to succeed but noted that the followers of football in the country must have to be patient with them while they push to develop to their full potential.

”I want to say that the team has every element of greatness in them, but they need time to fully develop into the Super Eagles that we all want to see. We really have t to be patient with them.”

Gentle giant as he was fondly called in his playing days expressed his believe in the ability of the Samson Siasia led Super Eagles to qualify for the Nations cup

”I still believe that the team will still qualify for the Nations cup, they have equal opportunity just like the team leading the group to qualify. So, writing them off at this time does not arise” Okechukwu said.

Speaking on the Nwankwo Kanu testimonial match, the former Super Eagles skipper maintained that the former Ajax, Inter Milan, Arsenal, West Bromwich and Portsmouth players deserves all the honor accorded to him.

”The honor given to Kanu is great; he was a great players and anything done for him as he has bowed out is not too much.”

”I want to say that this kind of thing should not be done only for Kanu, it should be done for other players who have served the country so well, because it has a way of encouraging the younger players who are coming behind to give their best to the Nation.”