Nigerian Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo, says that the pressure and criticism the team faces from supporters is a show of love.
He also insisted that nothing is stopping the Nigerian team from getting stronger and better in the ongoing AFCON 2023.
In Group A, Nigeria had started the group stage games with a 1-1 stalemate against Equatorial Guinea and a celebrated lone-goal win against the host nation, Ivory Coast.
The 30-year-old defender for the Süper Lig club Kasımpaşa S.K. stated that he understood supporters’ feelings and concerns as one of the longest-serving players in the national team.
Omeruo, who played a vital role in the Super Eagles victory in the 2013 AFCON tournament, disclosed this in a video posted on the Arise TV YouTube page on Monday.
No pressure at all
When asked how he and the team cope with the pressure that comes from Nigerians when a match is drawn or lost, he said there are no hard feelings.
The defender said, “There is no pressure that I haven’t seen playing for the Super Eagles, but I know it is coming from a place of love, passion, and all that.
“I have been on the other side (as a supporter too) when I go to the stadium to watch teams play. I show commitment and give 100 per cent support.
“When we start to win, all the fans will come behind us. I hope we can consistently give them that win.”
Stressing that the changed tactics against the host nation worked and that the credit belongs to the coach, Omeruo added, “Going into the last group game against Guinea-Bissau, I don’t see anything stopping us from going all out in the next game.”
Responding to a question on whether the hot weather that brings about the cooling break could affect the play and the team’s performance, he said, “The first game was really hot; if a game is by 2 pm, it is really hot even while sitting on the bench.
“It is quite better at 6 pm. But we are Africans; we can cope.”
Asked what winning the AFCON again means to the player, he said that “it is more important for the younger players, and they deserve to win it.
“So, it doesn’t matter if I win it again; it is all about the younger ones.”
Nigeria vs Guinea Bissau
Nigeria plays Guinea Bissau at 6 pm on Monday (today).
Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, said the Eagles would study the tape of the loss to Guinea-Bissau.
He noted that they would come up with a strategy to beat fellow West Africans.
Meanwhile, some football enthusiasts have expressed the hope that the Super Eagles will win their last group match against Guinea Bissau.
They, however, warned that the team should not be underrated.
