Nolberto Solano: A ray of hope for Pakistan football? [Nukta]

by Alam Zeb Safi

The Pakistan national football team have expressed full confidence in their new head coach Nolberto Solano, believing that his tactical approach and professionalism will help elevate the country’s footballing standards in the years to come.

“He is a shrewd and aggressive coach, and that’s a positive trait which will definitely benefit Pakistan,” a national team player told Nukta.

“He emphasizes ball control and discourages wasting possession. His philosophy revolves around attack – something we lacked under previous foreign coaches,” the player said.

On the other hand, Solano recently managed Pakistan in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers against Afghanistan, first in Islamabad, which ended goalless and then in Kuwait, where Pakistan earned a 1–1 draw.

The player added that Pakistan’s recent performance against Afghanistan reflected Solano’s influence. “You would have noticed that we attacked more in those matches and managed to create good scoring opportunities. He says if you keep defending, you increase the risk of conceding goals.”

Meanwhile, Solano, who also coached the Pakistan Under-23 team during the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, has his next major assignment against Syria next month in Islamabad.

A thorough professional

Another player praised Solano’s approach during training sessions, describing him as “highly disciplined and demanding on the field but friendly and approachable off it.”

“He creates a relaxed environment, and that’s why every player enjoys working with him. This is the kind of professionalism we see in top football clubs,” the player said.

With extensive experience at the highest level, Solano is viewed as a blessing for Pakistan football.

“It’s up to us to make the most of his presence,” another player said.

“He treats everyone equally, whether home-grown or foreign-based, and his main goal is to build a strong Pakistan team,” the player said.

Solution to decades-long chaos?

Given Pakistan’s decade-long football stagnation, marked by the absence of a proper league system and the decline of domestic talent, Solano has embarked on a mission to discover new players across the country.

In a recent conversation with Nukta, he expressed his intention to visit Karachi and Chaman, Balochistan, to scout promising talent for the national setup.

Pakistan has rarely retained a foreign coach for more than two years, but football circles hope that the current Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) administration will ensure Solano’s long-term stay.

In addition to upcoming Asian Cup Qualifier fixtures against Syria and Myanmar, Pakistan will also participate in the Asian Games in Japan next year. Despite rumors about the team’s non-participation, a senior PFF official confirmed to Nukta that Pakistan’s entry has been submitted.

Published in Nukta, 28 October 2025