Nations Cup: Akpokona predicts tougher times for Eagles

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    BY KATE OBODO

    Former Super Eagles assistant coach, Lawrence Akpokona has said that Nigeria may face a tougher 2013 Nations Cup qualifiers, if the country fail to learn from her past mistakes.

    Akpokona, who was also a former coach of Warri Wolves, said that the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF owed Nigerians the turn around of football next year, adding that the only way the country can qualify for the next Nations Cup is to start early and as well continue in the building process of the local players .

    “The 2013 qualifying campaign is going to be tougher and difficult if we continue the way we did, having failed to qualify for the 2012 Nation’s Cup. Of course, we were grouped with countries that we feel may not be too tough for us.

    Super Eagles in one of their trainings

    “Just imagine countries like Gabon, Niger Republic, to mention but a few who qualified for the Nations Cup while Nigeria did not. At least, this should serve as an eye opener to us, otherwise we may go the same way.”

    “We should not assume that there is still time because the time is very short. I think the NFF has an enormous work for us to do well in the qualifiers. By starting early and building the team mainly on home-based players. One thing that would work against the coach is time constraint. But in all, Keshi has started on a good note,” Akpokona said.

    “Though it is challenging and involves so much sacrifices but I believe if we continue that way we may have a formidable home-based team. ” Akpokona said.

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    Nations Cup: Akpokona predicts tougher times for Eagles