Adel Amrouche, the head coach of Rwanda, has voiced his opinion that a squad as talented as Nigeria’s Super Eagles should not be facing difficulties in securing a spot at the FIFA World Cup, according to Soccernet.ng.
Nigeria is on the brink of missing out on the FIFA World Cup for the second time in a row, and the manner in which they are struggling is causing concern among fans and analysts alike.
The Super Eagles find themselves in Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers, competing against South Africa, Rwanda, Lesotho, Benin, and Zimbabwe.
When evaluating the strength and reputation of the teams in this group, Nigeria clearly stands out. Except for South Africa, ranked 55th and just ten places below Nigeria, and Benin, positioned at 93rd, the remaining teams are ranked well outside the top 120 globally.
Despite this clear advantage on paper, the Super Eagles have failed to live up to expectations. Their campaign has been marred by inconsistency, managing only three victories out of nine matches, alongside five draws and a single defeat.
Currently, with just one fixture remaining, Nigeria sits third in Group C, trailing Benin by three points and South Africa by two.
The Super Eagles’ final hurdle is a crucial match against Benin, but their destiny is not entirely in their own hands. A win is mandatory, but they must also hope that South Africa falters at home against Rwanda.
Should South Africa secure a victory over Rwanda, Nigeria’s chances of topping the group will be extinguished.
In a related statement, Rwanda’s coach Adel Amrouche has openly criticized Nigeria’s underwhelming performance throughout the qualifiers.
players, Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhren and Semilore Ajayi during the National Anthem of the game between Nigeria vs South Africa” width=”2560″ height=”1707″ />Amrouche confidently stated that if he were at the helm of the Super Eagles, he would aim to guide them at least to the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
“With the caliber of players in the Super Eagles, my minimum goal would be to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup. Qualifying should never be the challenge,” Amrouche shared in an interview with Osasu Obayiuwana.
Since taking charge of Rwanda in March, Amrouche has built his coaching career primarily within Africa, though he has yet to manage any of the continent’s leading football nations.
His previous coaching roles include tenures with Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Libya, and Botswana before assuming responsibility for the Amavubi squad.
Is Amrouche Subtly Critiquing Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle?
While Amrouche’s remarks might be interpreted as a critique of Eric Chelle or the Nigerian team, they are not intended as disparagement.
In fact, just last month, Amrouche expressed his support for Chelle following Nigeria’s victory over Rwanda in the qualifiers.
“Eric is a competent coach. Although some may doubt him, he is beginning to fulfill his role effectively. It’s important to remain positive and respect your coach,” the Algerian manager remarked.
Nevertheless, it is clear that Amrouche is contrasting the Nigerian squad’s potential with the resources available to him in Rwanda, imagining the heights he could reach if entrusted with the Super Eagles.
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