Super Eagles’ assistant captain Ogenyi Onazi has urged fans to be patient with the team, and not put them under pressure by blaming them unnecessarily.
The Lazio midfielder made this known after the team qualified for the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers by beating Swaziland on Tuesday.
Nigeria had been held to a 0-0 draw away to Swaziland on November 14, making the return leg at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt a very tricky affair indeed.
Many fans became worried after the draw, questioning the Eagles for failing to beat Swaziland, whom they regarded as minions, at the Somholo National Stadium.
However, the team were able to surmount the hurdle, beating the Southern Africans 2-0 in the return leg.
Onazi appealed to the fans to exercise patience with coach Sunday Oliseh, stating that it would take time to build a team that will meet the fans’ expectations.
“I want to beg Nigerians to always stay positive and not be negative in their reactions and reports about the Eagles.
“Even though we don’t let that bother us, negative reports have a way of demoralizing the team,” he quipped.