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Threading Carefully!
By Toyin | June 4, 2009
After the lackluster performance of the Super Eagles in Mozambique the last time, a lot of football fans in the country expressed their anger and disappointment over what most called lack of commitment from the players. Even the coach, Ahmodu Shuaibu uncharacteristically lambasted openly some of the players and declared in the process that he’s going to double his efforts and work harder to ensure that Nigeria qualifies for the world cup come 2010.
As a sign that the reality of failure to achieve our collective goal of qualification is not lost on our rulers, a presidential committee was put in place to ensure that we do not end up with the scenario of 2006. President Yar’Adua did not stop at asking the committee to work to ensure that the Super Eagles qualifies for South Africa 2010, he went ahead to charge the team to win the World Cup!
Personally, I don’t think there’s any nation on this continent that’s as passionate about football as Nigeria; the truth of the matter is that we are simply ‘crazy’ where the game is concerned. Nothing unites Nigerians like the game. It’s a foregone conclusion that when Nigeria is playing, almost every other thing takes a break.
Knowing how we felt when the nation failed to qualify for Germany in 2006, would it not be a disaster if history repeats itself? Just as we toyed with our chance of making top spot during that period by eventually capitulating to Angola, we’ve started ‘joking’ and fooling around this time around.
As much as we praise ourselves and tag our team as one of the best in Africa and indeed the world, we must also realize that the Super Eagles has not won anything since 1994! We went to Maputo and gave one of the worst performances ever; had that match been played in North Africa, one of the goals disallowed would have been given! We just couldn’t cope with the mobility and agility of the Mozambicans.
While we have come close a couple of times (USA ’94, CAN 2000) to making history, by and large, our performances have been at best average. Why then do we deceive ourselves that we are among the best? Even the African Footballer of the year award that was previously almost our exclusive preserve’s become the ‘property’ of other African nations. The last of these awards was won by a Togolese!
A critical look at our so called ‘super stars’ would reveal mostly players that hardly make the first team in their various teams in Europe. When I did my research, I discovered that only Mikel Obi and Taye Taiwo played reasonably long in a team in the CL. Just cross check this with our West African neighbours, Ivory Coast and see where we truly are.
Although the latest FIFA ranking places Nigeria in the second spot in Africa, the reality on ground and our current position on our SA 2010 table is a more accurate judgment of our pedigree. The truth, they say is bitter but this is only true for people who have nowhere going. It’s about time our players know that you are never classified as a great until you did something great for your country in world football. The cult status of the Kanus and Okochas of this world was simply as a result of what they won for the country especially that golden outing at Atlanta in USA 1996.
A situation where a bunch of average but very arrogant players hold the rest of us to ransom by playing as if nothing is at stake will not augur well for the reputation we seek to build as a nation. More importantly, it is now or never to put down a line and stake our claim to our rightful position in world football. We cannot afford to toy with this!
Nigeria VS Kenya
After watching our boys put up decent displays firstly against Ireland and then France, a euphoric sense of reawakening seems to have engulfed the country in anticipation of what may happen on Sunday in our national stadium, Abuja. While the results obtained in those two matches are quite encouraging, the fact remains that the encounters in question are friendly matches. I’d also like to sound a note of caution that playing in relatively cold region for a match that will take place in a hot atmosphere is not a very prudent preparation.
Having said this, I must confess that I was very proud of the team coach Ahmodu used in the two matches particularly against Les Bleus. I was pleasantly surprised to see our players fight for every ball and defended cohesively against decent European sides. Most importantly, I was delighted to see new players who are ‘hungry’ and ready to give their all to ensure our collective goal.
However, I’d be very surprised and disappointed if the coach decides to go for unprepared players on Sunday based on sentiments and past exploits. I‘ve always maintained that the earlier we make fitness, commitment, desire and relevance in first team matches the criteria for choosing our players, the better for our chances of ruling Africa and indeed, the world.
Therefore, I expect players like Dickson Etuhu and Uche kalu to start in the midfield on Sunday while our coaches should not be afraid to use Adefemi Olubayo and Dele Adeleye in defense against the Kenyans. Competition, I repeat, competition should be the hallmark of our national teams and the Super Eagles at all times must be filled with the best players that this country has in stock. This was what obtained under Clemence Westerhoff, who won us our last major senior trophy.
We must not allow the Super Eagles to become a rehabilitation center for players who are neither playing for their clubs nor are capable of representing our country in crunch matches such as the one on Sunday and the next In Tunis in a couple of weeks. If we want to qualify for the world cup in South Africa, then it’s about time to take up the gauntlet and flex our muscle to get the rewards. Let’s throw our weight around and proof that indeed we mean business.
In our next two matches, there are six points at stake, we must get them! Anything short of this: Bye-bye to SA 2010!
Topics: Nigerian Football, Success Pills, The Gaffer, Who Will Win |
June 4th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Toyin, what a piece! I hope some of these people read your blog as u are doing what I call a yeoman’s job by hitting the nail on the head on issues concerning Nigerian Football. Keep it up bro. and the sky can’t be your limit!
June 5th, 2009 at 10:46 am
I just hope that our team plays the way expected and pick the maximum points at stake. Tunisia will definitely be difficult but with focus and dedication, we will come through.
June 5th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
football has gone beyond what we think it is in nigeria. it’s now a game of two coaches playing the game of chess. if its going to be amodu against very tactical coaches of the likes of guus hiidink, capello e.t.c at the mundial, then we had better not qualify. we need to move forward in nigeria. lets get a good coach……..lets get samson siasia
June 5th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
John, Samson is already engaged.
June 5th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
That’s the way it is; GET THE SIX POINTS AVAILABLE in the next two matches or 4get SA 2010. I wish the team luck. If they are not serious enough, there are Spain, England and may be Ghana to watch.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:17 am
This our team need to show that they want to progress and get to south africa in 2010 if not history will repeat itself.
July 1st, 2009 at 3:38 pm
The tactics adopted by Amodu Shuaibu, the super eagles coach worked against thecalculations of the handlers of the cathage eagles of Tunisia but there was amissing link link between te midfield and te attack and that is the playmaker in the super eagles . The eagles looked very comfortable whenever they are on the defensive but lacks the mans that has te ability to marshal the tattack.I hope that the eagles handlers will do something on this