Ex-Delta Stars Player, Utagba Charges Eagles On AFCON Ticket
BY RAYMOND NWADUBA
Former Delta Power Stars defender, Joseph Utagba has charged the Super Eagles to ensure they not only pick the 2027 Africa cup of Nations qualification ticket but to also go ahead to win it for the country.
He made the admonition following the official draw for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers by the
Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cairo, Egypt, where Nigeria’s Super Eagles were drawn in Group L.
The coach Eric Chelle tutored side will have to face Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania for a slot in the tournament scheduled to be co-hosted by Gambia, Tanzania and Kenya, which Utagba who also featured for Sunshine Stars of and NEPA opined that is high time Nigeria won the AFCON title again having won it last in 2013.
“I think the qualification for AFCON 2027 is non-negotiable after suffering two consecutive World cup misses.
“What we should be aiming or talking about is how to ensure we win the tournament.
“I’m happy that we are in a fairly weak group, therefore we have no reason whatsoever not to qualify.
“I understand there are no minnows in football anymore but the players have to show much more commitment and determination to assuage for the World cup disappointment”, he stated.
Utagba is now a qualified High school coach in Columbus Ohio, U.S.A. where he has handled numerous teams after a successful playing career that saw him lace his boots in Lebanon as well before his retirement.
The Eagles have previously won three AFCON titles in 1980, 1994 and 2013, which the top two teams from each group in the qualifiers will secure a spot in the final 24-team tournament, which is scheduled to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in June and July 2027.
