EAGLES, DO NOT OVERWORK ENYEAMA. With just 3-days, to go for the World Cup to commence, I choose to reflect on the Super Eagles. After our match with Greece on Tuesday breaking Wednesday 4th May 2014, there were so much praises for the man that won the best African player in French League last season. It was concluded by some analyst that those hoping to step into his position will have to wait for more than five years. The award he got from the French League did not seem to be enough, and some were classifying him as best goalkeeper in Europe. It is wonderful to know that our number 1 goalie in the person of Vincent Enyeama will be going to the world cup with very high expectations from Nigerians.. But with our game against USA which I watched on Saturday breaking Sunday 8th June, 2014; I have my fears, except the miracle working Stephen Okechukwu Keshi succeeds in changing the orientation of our players. Especially with the kind of assurance he got from Mr. President after they won the African Nations Cup in 2013. Our players, ever since I have been watching their games have a polite way of punishing their goalies through irrelevant back passes or total complacency by both the midfielders and the defenders. Some times, you see some dare devil attackers simply stroll into the net with the balls (imagine the 2 clumsy goals we allowed the US team score us) because players get too confident of the goalie, become afraid of being blamed for unwarranted granting of set piece to the opponents and overall refusal to do their jobs. Then, you see them trying to point accusing fingers thereafter. I pray with all of my heart that all players will be alive and committed to their various responsibilities, avoid being over bearing, sluggish or selfish and overall evoke a team spirit that will not only do Nigerians proud but the entire black race. The coach has to an extent proved that he wishes to get the cup by giving us what majority has referred to as a formidable 23-man squad (though I have my reservations about Captain Joseph Yobo’s ability to stay in charge of the defense or wear the Captain band; especially with the replacement of Anderson). It is left to the Psychologist of the team to work them into being a family by ensuring that no member of the squad gets carried away with side attractions, nor dare to look down on any opposition. Every team we play must be seen as a Brazilian or Spanish team whose hard nut must be cracked at all cost. I was not impressed with the result of all three friendlies. But I am happy the team is starting on the note of knowing they have offended Nigerians, because I know (unless they have changed) that they will beat Iran silly. The insecurity at home is worth fighting for laughter and joy at all cost through ensuring we go far in the tournament. In essence, players must keep their cool, when they play all those teams whose players play football beyond tossing the ball around. They should not forget what Roberto Baggio did to our psychology and denied us quarter final tickets in 1994. They should not forget how a player succeeded in making Zinadine Zidane lose his cool at the 1998 World Cup; neither should they forget how Issa Kaita was sent out at the last World Cup. We all know how he lost his respect from Nigerians; Yakubu Aiyegbeni is another typical example of one who lost his respect from Nigerians because of complacency in front of goal. I do not need to remind them that the Argentines will play and as well try some well packaged tricks on them nor do I need to remind them how Suarez and his Uruguayan side used desperation to progress into the last quarter finals against Ghana. I want this World Cup to produce Nigerians that will play in the best of clubs and leagues of the world and for the first time in a very long while give us an African Footballer and as well a World Footballer, void of all the intrigues we experience especially, in CAF award presentations. All players must put in their best, if for nothing else, to ensure they land themselves good contracts after the world cup and as well endear themselves to Nigerians. So that when Mr. President is handing them their N5million cheques, we will collectively say it should have been more; after all a workman is worthy of his wage. Our players must believe in themselves, stay positive at all times, show total commitment to the team and all together spring up that much expected surprise we all wish they give the World. May the God of football work in their favour, as they ensure our dear Enyeama is not exposed to unfavourable fire power or tricks of some of the world’s best strikers.
Posted on: Mon, 09 Jun 2014 16:39:48 +0000
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