An Africa Cup of Nations winner has now raised his hand for one of the top coaching vacancies on the continent, insisting he has what it takes to do it justice.
2023 AFCON runners-up Nigeria are currently without a national team coach after former boss Jose Peseiro's departure last week.
Read: Surprise African star 'wanted' by Barcelona
The search for his replacement is reportedly underway, although some reports suggest that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have attempted to lure the Portuguese tactician back to the helm with a new offer to extend his stay.
Following Peseiro's announcement of his exit, it was also reported that Austin Eguavoen had been placed in charge on an interim basis ahead of the March international break but NFF president Ibrahim Gusau denied those claims, according to Punch Sports.
With the Nigeria helm thus still vacant, Sylvanus Okpala, a 1980 and 2013 AFCON winner as a Super Eagles player then assistant coach, respectively, has insisted he should be given the job.
"The only thing I can say about Peseiro is that he has tried his best, but the game goes on," Okpala said in an interview with Punch.
"I'm one of those that should replace him.
"I've won the Nations Cup as a player, and I have won it as an assistant coach to [Stephen] Keshi; the record is there.
"It is not easy. It's not by luck or mathematics; it's by knowledge.
"The team we went to South Africa [in 2013] with, you can't compare them with these boys. We went there with home-based boys, playing in the Nigerian league.
"It was only Mikel [John Obi playing overseas]; even Mikel wasn't a regular player in Chelsea then when he came with us. Then [Emmanuel] Emenike, and I think [Ahmed] Musa too.
"We had only about one year with the boys then, but this team has spent over two years together. We have players that can win the World Cup.
"So yes, if I am given a chance, I will do wonders with these boys. I'm very good at reading games, and that gives me an advantage too."
Read: FA 'denies' reports of Peseiro replacement, labels it a 'joke'
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH:
