Former Eagles midfielder, Justice Christopher, has urged Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, to include young players in his plans for the Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Christopher, who spoke with our correspondent, believes the former Mali coach will succeed if he focuses on the country’s young players who are currently doing well in Europe as well as in the domestic league.
“The coach should try as much as possible to blend the team with old and young players. The players he has on the ground are good, but the future of the Eagles lies is in the young players,” the retired player, who won bronze at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations in Mali, said.
“That is what is done in other parts of the world. They build their national teams around young players who are good and let them blend with the good old legs.”
The former Belgium-based player added, “Keshi must have learnt from his past mistakes and will work hard to make the national team stronger.
“One of the things he should get right is the selection of players for matches. He should select the best players for games.
“The task of building a team is continuous and we have many good players.
“But Keshi can still rely on the old players he believes are good enough for the team. But, when the need calls for it, he can throw in new players who are also good.”
The ex-Levski Sofia midfielder called on the Nigeria Football Federation to support the coach and his players during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
He said, “The NFF should give Keshi the support he needs to achieve success with the team. Keshi should also learn from his past mistakes. What they should know is that football makes Nigerians happy and unites the country.”
Nigeria are grouped in Group G of the Gabon 2017 qualifiers alongside record seven-time champions Egypt, Tanzania and Chad.
The qualifiers start next month with Nigeria hosting Chad.
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