AFCON 2023: Ex-international urges super Eagles to be cohesive against Angola

Nigerian ex-international, Felix Owolabi, has advised Super Eagles to focus on playing cohesively when they play Angola in the quarter final at the ongoing 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d`Ivoire.

Owolabi, a member of the victorious 1980 Green Eagles team in the AFCON, said this in an interview with our correspondent on Thursday in Lagos.

Our correspondent reports that Eagles will play against the Stable Antelope on Feb. 2 at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Cote d`Ivoire on Friday at 6pm

He said that with a solid team spirit, Eagles will qualify from the quarter final stage to the semifinal.

“A solid team spirit will always beat any tactical formation. In my opinion, I believe once the boys understand themselves on the pitch, every other thing falls in line.

“If you check Super Eagles one will see that they didn’t play well in the group stage, but the more they have played the players understand each other’s pattern.

“As the competition progresses so does their understanding of each other’s game grows. Playing cohesively as a team will always supersede any formation,” he said.

Our correspondent reports that Super Eagles defeated the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 2-0 to qualify for the quarter finals while Angola defeated Namibia 3-0.

Owolabi said that, should Eagles play like they did against Cameroon, they would win the hearts of Nigerians totally.

“Imagine if they play even better than they played against Cameroon in the round of 16 that will be impressive, Super Eagles will become Nigerians sweetheart again,” he said.