Abakaliki – Football fans in Ebonyi have urged coaches of the Super Eagles to utilise the lessons of its 1-2 loss to Uruguay in the FIFA Confederation Cup, to make the team more formidable. Nigeria’s footballers pose for the official picture before the start of the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 Group B football match against Tahiti, at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte on June 17, 2013. (Standing L-R) Midfielder John Obi Mikel, defender Uwa Echijile, defender Efe Ambrose, defender Kenneth Omeruo, forward Anthony Ujah and midfielder Fegor Ogude. (First row, L-R) Forward Nnamdi Oduamadi, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, forward Ahmed Musa, midfielder Sunday Mba and defender Godfrey Oboabona. AFP PHOTO The loss on Thursday put the team’s qualification for the semi-finals in jeopardy as it needs to beat Spain on Sunday to remain in contention. The fans who spoke on Friday in Abakaliki said that several factors, including poor finishing, inexperience, incessant experimentation of players, poor preparations among others, contributed to the loss. Phinan Ozonweke, former Rangers International FC of Enugu defender, commended the team for a decent outing but noted that its attack performed poorly. “Keshi is gradually assembling the Super Eagles of our dreams but there is still much work to do to arrive at a complete side. “The coach should look for experienced players to solve the goal scoring problems because if it had utilized its chances, it could have beaten the South Americans with a wide-margin,” he said. Also, Uche Ogbonna, Mgbo Ambassadors FC of Ohaukwu left-full back, urged Keshi to stop experimentation and concentrate on blending the players to get a formidable team. “It is disheartening to see Keshi drop most of the players that won the Nations Cup in South Africa for inexperienced players, at this crucial stage of preparation for next year’s World Cup. “More than half of the players who starred for Uruguay played at the 2010 World Cup and they are still playing together to enhance team cohesion,” he said. Lending a voice to Ogbonna’s view, Chief Hillary Anajemba, a Sports Administrator, urged Keshi to stop inviting new players and concentrate on the team presently at his disposal. “Only experienced players such as Osazee Odenwingie and Obafemi Martins should be invited to beef up the team’s attack, as incessant invitation of new players would not ensure a formidable side,” he said. However, Mr Linus Ogadah, a businessman, urged Nigerians not to write-off the team as it would confront Spain on Sunday in its final group match. “Nigerian teams are known to spring surprises when least expected; the Eagles can beat Spain to prove that there are no longer minnows in football,” he said. Contributing, Miss Chinyere Eneh, a Physical Education Instructor, called on the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) to ensure that the Super Eagles play more friendly matches with experienced teams, using its full compliment. “The practice of playing friendly matches with experimental players is counter- productive; it exposes the team when it plays competitive matches with its main players”. (NAN)
Posted on: Fri, 21 Jun 2013 14:25:29 +0000
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