Former Super Eagles winger, Emmanuel Amunike, has provided valuable insights for the national team as they prepare to face the host nation, Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
Following a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in their opening group game, the Super Eagles are gearing up for a challenging encounter with the Elephants, who secured a 2-0 victory against Guinea Bissau.
Amunike emphasized the importance of strategic analysis, urging the team to consider their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses while evaluating their capabilities.
Reflecting on missed opportunities in the previous match, he stressed the need for the Eagles to focus on improvement and reinforcement for the upcoming clash.
In his own words, Amunike stated, “You can’t go into a battle based on your strength; you have to look at the strength and weak points of your opponents and also look at your own strength and then know what you can do.”
Highlighting the significance of effective game management, particularly against a formidable rival like Cote d’Ivoire, Amunike pointed out, “In modern football now, if you are a team that cannot manage the game, then you find it difficult. That means you must be chasing the balls always.”
He emphasized the need for compactness and team collaboration, stating, “If they can manage the game and be able to keep it compact, and not only just sending the long balls to Osimhen, I see the Eagles winning. Everybody is expecting Osimhen to do miracles.”
Amunike urged the midfielders to play a more active role in both offensive and defensive aspects, emphasizing the importance of balance. He stated, “The midfielders need to be involved more in the game. They need to support more on the offensive aspect. They need to have more balance and also when you don’t have the balls, they need to be in positions to close the spaces.”
