Former Nigerian international Sylvanus Okpala has pushed back against the notion that Super Eagles players lack respect for home-based coaches, asserting that the issue has been exaggerated.

Drawing on his extensive experience as a player and captain in the national team, Okpala insisted that respect within the dressing room is more about effective man-management than nationality.

“These things they used to say that these players do not respect Nigerian coaches, but it’s not true,” Okpala stated firmly.

“I’ve been a player in the national team for years. I’ve been a player for national team for years. From flying eagles, as captain of flying eagles. As one time the Green Eagles captain too. And I never knew all these things being said. I don’t think we had any problem of any respect from some of the players.”

“So it’s a professional man-management that is very important on these issues. So some people coming into, but they were telling lies that they don’t respect.”

Okpala further explained that any player who disrespects a coach in Nigeria likely exhibits the same behavior at their club.

“Any player that comes in here to play, whether abroad based or something, if he doesn’t respect the coach, even in his club, he doesn’t respect his coach.” he noted.

He also highlighted that some players, if not properly managed, may try to play according to their own desires rather than adhering to team tactics and strategy.

“Sometimes the problem with some of the players, if you don’t know how to handle them, is that they want to get to the pitch and do what they want to do, not as a team, the tactics of the team. The strategy of the team wants to win, the formation. So they want to do their own thing.” Okpala concluded.

His remarks underscore the importance of leadership and communication in the national team, suggesting that respect is earned through professionalism rather than being a matter of whether the coach is home-based or foreign.