Izuchukwu OkosiThe Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Patrice Motsepe, believes the Super Eagles of Nigeria is capable of winning the FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the tournament in Qatar for the second time since they made their debut in 1994 in the United States of America.
The Eagles was handled by interim coach Austin Eguavoen as they lost the ticket to Ghana on the away goals rule in March.
“I am absolutely confident [because of] the talent, God-given skills, and history of Nigerian football. Nigeria is one of those countries that have the potential – not just to go to the semi-final, not just to go to the final, but to win the World Cup,” Motsepe told Channels Television.
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Motsepe then hands out a blueprint on how the Nigeria Football Federation as well as the Confederation of African Football can work together and make it a possibility.
“To focus on youth football development, football facilities for boys and girls, amateur football, football development at club level, training coaches and training the trainers, the development of referees and very importantly, to make sure that we work together with the football federation in Nigeria so that they can continue the leadership that they have provided for many years.
“We are confident that Nigerian football will continue to be not just amongst the best in Africa but in the world and will make us proud as it has on so many occasions in the past. Our plan is to see Nigeria in the next World Cup.”
Speaking on Morocco’s semi-final achievement, the first by an African nation, Motsepe believes other countries will be inspired by that.
“Morocco opened the door by reaching the semi-finals this month and I am confident an African nation will go further at the next World Cup.
“The main objective of CAF (Confederation of African Football) is for an African nation to win the World Cup and that goal is within reach.”
Nigeria whch finished the year 2022 as the fifth best team in Africa and 35th in the world will return to action in March 2023 for the restart of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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