Former Arsenal and Super Eagles striker, Nwankwo Kanu, has urged the Nigerian players to step up their national team performances to the level they play at for their clubs, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 1996 Olympic gold medalist is one of the most successful Nigerian football exports, winning trophies with Ajax, Inter Milan and was a part of the Arsenal team that went unbeaten in 2004.
Speaking in an interview with Brila, the 48-year-old urged the current Nigerian players to replicate the intensity they play with in their club side for the national team.
“They are very important. They can’t be doing well in their various clubs and then come to the national team they will not do the same. No.
When you come to the national team you give more than what you give to the clubs. You can’t wear that jersey and be slacking. If you’re giving your club 100%, give us 200%.
The players need to understand that that we may be talking about coaching all the time but they need to do more. From what I’ve seen in recent matches, they are improving, and they’re getting better,” the 1995 UEFA Champions League winner said.
One could say the message was aimed at Victor Boniface who’s been constantly finding the back of the net and winning trophies for his club side, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, but his form for the Super Eagles has been far from impressive.
Boniface on the other hand, has received encouragement from his counterpart, Victor Osimhen, as the Galatasaray striker told Boniface to keep his head down and continue working for the national team, then the goals will follow in no time.
