Nigerian players are very proud –Di Matteo

Former Chelsea coach, Roberto Di Matteo, has described Nigerian players as very proud and ambitious, saying he enjoyed working with them while coaching in the English Premier League.

The 2012 UEFA Champions League winning coach was in Nigeria recently on a two-day visit courtesy of beer brand, Guinness, to launch a new online game, the Guinness Football Manager.

“I signed Peter Odemwingie and he was one of the best performers for the season I signed him. I also worked with Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel at Chelsea. I have really enjoyed working with them because they are very proud people, very ambitious people,” Di Matteo said.

“I have a very close relationship with them, to get the best from them and utilise the best attributes they have.”

The Guinness Football Manager Ambassador added, “I have watched the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup and have seen that African players have lots of skills. African teams have shown in the past World Cups that they are capable of winning it because they are constantly improving on their tactical awareness and increasing their chances of reaching the semi-finals or finals of the World Cup.”

Di Matteo, who visited three football playing grounds namely the National Stadium, Surulere; CMD Playing ground, Magodo; and Coco playing field, Ogba, urged the country’s young footballers to be more determined and live their dreams in their chosen careers.