Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, yesterday, told the Super Eagles to forget about playing as super stars at the African Cup of Nations, kicking off this Sunday in Ghana.
He warned that super stars do not win matches, stressing that for Eagles to win the Cup they must play as one united and determined unit. And responding on behalf of the team, Nwankwo Kanu said the team would play as a unit of determined players rather than super stars.
The Super Eagles are armed with a rich array of good players plying their trade in the very competitive European leagues. In their many attempts of winning the crown, they have only succeeded twice, with the most recent being in the 1994 edition hosted by Tunisia.
With the likes of Nwankwo Kanu, Obafemi Martins, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Joseph Yobo, John Mikel Obi, John Utaka and Osaze Odemwingie, the Super Eagles have in them what others can only dream of.
"This evening, you are going to Ghana as the number one team in Africa so you should know that everybody would want to beat you. But one thing that will speak boldly for you and which is important is team work.
"You have in Coach Berti Vogts, one of the most disciplined players of his time and I am sure he would have imparted some of these ideals into you. I have played the game so I would not put the pressure on you by telling you that you must win the Cup but your ranking says that you can win it.
"I urge you to rely on your unity and not your individual self. Nobody can beat 11 united players. Do not play as super stars.There should be no super star in this team. Every goal is a team effort and team spirit", added Governor Fashola. In responding, Kanu said "we do not have super stars in this team. What we have are 23 players.
Listening to you talk on team work means a lot to us. Our team spirit is very high. We are all going to be involved in this competition.
"As you are the first governor to receive us as we go to Ghana, we promise by the grace of God and by our collective determination that you would be the first to receive the Cup when we return", Kanu added.
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