Nigerian Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick says the Super Eagles must make a “meaningful impact” at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria have failed to qualify for the last two editions of the AFCON, having won the continental tournament in 2013.
Gernot Rohr’s side will resume their qualification campaign for the 2019 finals in Cameroon with a match away to Seychelles next month.
The German manager is expected to unveil his squad for the September 8 match on Friday. Nigeria lost their opening Group E match 2-0 at home to South Africa in June last year.
Yet even if Nigeria do go on to qualify for the AFCON – as is expected – they will not be under pressure to win at all costs, with Pinnick explaining that they are putting their focus on building for the future.
“Our vision, as we have espoused from day one, is to build a sustainable football culture for our dear nation. To do that, youth development is key,” said the NFF president.
“That is what we are trying to do with the U-15 squad which recently reached the final of the African Youth Games in Algeria, and which will form the bulk of the next U-17 team.
“We will approach the matches one game at a time. Our objective is not only to qualify for the finals, but for the Super Eagles to also make a meaningful impact at the finals in Cameroon in the summer of next year.”
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