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No Excuse!
By Toyin | March 17, 2009
That the Super Eagles got 100% result in the first round qualifying matches for the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa is no longer news. However, it was by far the most outstanding first round qualifying result we’ve had as a Nation. During the matches, we displayed some good football and showed team cohesion that was hitherto missing in the squad.
The mixture of youth and experience is also gratifying when one considers the high level of the quality now displayed by most African teams. And this is understandable seeing that African players are now exposed to modern techniques and the best coaching system whether at home or abroad more than ever before. Coach Amodu Shuaibu is very much conversant with the national team set up having occupied this position in the past. As such, it could be taken for granted that he’s very clear in his mind the direction that his plan and program will take. Suffice to say here that in the past seven or eight matches played under him not counting the funny international friendly with Jamaica, things have been relatively well organized on the part of our FA.
As a pointer to what should be expected from the Mozambicans, our next obstacle on our road South Africa 2010, Amodu was quoted by The Punch newspaper to have said “It will not be a stroll in the park, certainly we want the three points. And we know it will not come easy. That is why I have been speaking to the players to be prepared for everything that the hosts may throw at us, right from the airport”. This is a true saying and the right approach to matches of this significance!
We cannot allow overconfidence and lack of respect for our opponents to derail our journey to the most prestigious sporting tournament in the world! I’m very sure that the memories of our inability to qualify for Germany 2006 are still very fresh; Angola justifiably took our position. Once beaten twice shy!
Only players that are playing regularly should be called to the national team at any time talk less of a world cup qualifier. The technical team must be up and doing and must be prepared to make the necessary sacrifice to ensure the qualification that most of us crave! Nothing must be left to chance as a discountenanced root may end up felling a mighty man; Mozambique must be treated with the utmost respect, we can gloat after putting them to the sword! Until then, caution is the watchword that must be on the mind of the technical crew and the players.
The Mozambicans are no strangers to quality African football, they played Cote d’Ivoire in the first round in Maputo and got a point and only lost narrowly in the return leg. They also have in charge of the team a Dutch called Mart Nooij and he’s already charged his wards to play like lions against the Super Eagles.
The NFF must also ensure that all arrangements are in place to ensure that the players get to the camp in South Africa on schedule. Bonus and allowance should be sorted out long before matches are played and this should be the case. Arguments and disagreements on payments and ticket refunds must be a thing of the past in our national teams. Everyone should know beforehand what is due and to whom; there is no point watching our dirty linens outside!
Finally, as we trade tackles with our opponents in Maputo on March 28, the players must decide that they can and will (must) qualify for South Africa 2010; once this decision is made, every available resource must be deployed on the field of play to ensure this. They must put in where necessary gusty displays to serve as a markdown to the rest of Africa (and indeed the world) that we are ready!
Simply put, they are the major factor towards our dream of appearance at the world cup and we will not accept any excuse from them should anything go wrong. It’s imperative for them to know that Nigeria must be at the world cup; anything short of this is a disaster!
Topics: Biz Football, Crazy Fans, Nigerian Football, Success Pills, The Gaffer, Who Will Win |
March 19th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Great article again Toyin! The Super Eagles must fly and fly high against the Mozambicans! Nothing short of outright win will be acceptable to us.
March 26th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
If we can’t beat the likes of Mozambique, then we have no business going to SA!