Former African Football of the Year Emmanuel Amuneke says Nigerian wingers at the current Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) must assume more responsibility of productivity for the team, www.aclsports.com reports.
Amuneke, a left winger in his playing days was in the Super Eagles squad that won the AFCON in Tunisia in 1994 and was Tanzania’s coach to the last AFCON in Egypt.
He is presently in Garoua as a member of CAF’s Technical Study Group for this tournament.
The former Barcelona star was at the Stade Omnisports Roumdé Adjia on Tuesday night as Nigerian wingers excelled with their trickery but fell short consistently in the final third.
He says such is common place now with the evolving manner of the game but hopes that the wingers can be more responsible in the final third.
“Football has changed a lot. The game is evolving,” said Amuneke with a crispy voice from inside his well clamped nose mask.
He added: “Sometimes you see a left footed player playing on the right wing so we wish that in Nigeria we could have the same generation of wingers (like Amuneke and Finidi).
“A lot has changed but the ones that are here now have to assume responsibility. They have to try to make the best out of the time and skills they have.”
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With more still expected from the wingers in terms of productivity, Amuneke still believes that the team in Cameroon are on course for a successful tournament.
“The tournament is still long so it is too early to begin to predict if they will win the tournament or but the good thing is that they have started with a clean sheet and they have started by transmitting confidence to themselves so it all depends on them, how they manage the rest of the games.
“You have to bear it in mind that every game is different but of course they are on the right track,” said Amuneke.
Nigeria, coached by Amuneke’s teammate in 1994, Augustine Eguavoen will face Sudan in their second group game at the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Garoua, Cameroon.
Fisayo Dairo, reporting from Garoua
